Domestic tourism and leisure in Malta

Abstract

Most studies of tourism in Mediterranean countries focus on international aspects such as the growth of resorts, seasonal patterns of tourist arrivals, and the economic and environmental impacts of mass tourism.l When the residents of these countries are considered it is usually with reference to the ways in which international tourism has affected their lives, such as rising land and property values, the erosion of traditional values and customs, and employment in tourist enterprises. Although the Maltese Islands have a much smaller land area than Cyprus, resorts such as Marsalforn, Bugibba, and Birzebbugia are popular during summer, and a glance at the local newspapers shows that the Maltese enjoy a wide variety of sporting and leisure interests. In winter and spring, especially, countryside-based activities such as walking and picnicking are popular and there are many places of interest like Buskett Gardens and Ta' Qali which attract large numbers of weekend visitors. Since official statistics on domestic tourism are lacking, it was decided to organize a household survey among local residents The thirteen localities provide a broad spread of housing and socio-economic groups and it is intended that they should reflect a selection of typical communities within Malta. In all 572 interviews were conducted. The response from the public was excellent and very few refusals were encountered. The objectives of the survey were as follows: i. to discover key characteristics about foreign and local holidays taken; frequency of visits, type of accommodation, and length of stay, ii. to collect information relating to day excursions; modes of travel, places visited, and to establish views on the attractiveness of different recreational environments, Ill. to examine the sporting and leisure activities of parents and children, iv. to provide a useful and realistic teaching exercise for students in their second (Keele) or third (Swansea) year of a geography honours degree course.