The scuba diving industry in the Maltese Islands : a doomed venture or a viable future?

Abstract

Diving has become one of the most outstanding activities to attract niche markets to the Maltese Islands. Visitors consider the islands to be amongst the most remarkable dive sites in the Mediterranean region. In spite of this, due to lack of planning, monitoring and provision of adequate facilities from Environmental Authorities, most diving sites are in a derelict state. Secondary sources provide evidence that most divers are satisfied with the services offered by the local diving industry. The latter results include positive satisfaction levels of visitors in relation to the state of the diving sites. Through the questionnaire survey, however, it emerged that local and foreign divers complain about the lack of diving facilities. Results obtained through the triangulation method proved that diving sites need better environmental management. With the use of various management tools, such as Environmental Impact Assessments, the feasibility or otherwise of projects should be clearly identified. It seems that such tools are not being utilised in their appropriate form. Success or failure is planned and managed - a small island state like Malta cannot afford to gamble on this phenomenon. The environment is one of the main assets 'used' for attracting visitors to the Maltese Islands. This study has proved that diving sites need 'immediate' and appropriate implementation of environmental management tools.