Malta appears to be groaning under the weight of its tourism. The smallest and most densely populated EU member state, measuring just 316km2 and home to over half a million residents, it saw around 4 million tourists in 2025, and is likely to hit the 4.5 million mark this year. There are several signs that the country cannot handle these kinds of numbers. Despite this, some tourism experts – including the CEO of the Malta Tourism Authority – disagree that the country is experiencing overtourism. In addition, a Times of Malta poll conducted before the peak tourist season this year found that most people are satisfied with the number of tourists coming to Malta. The poll shows that supporters of the incumbent government are more likely to hold this view.
The authorities have tried to play down the impact of Malta’s tourist numbers while simultaneously working to attract even more to Malta’s shores. The figure of
4.5 million tourists was, in fact, the government’s own target – a target for 2035 that, at this rate, could be met this year.
In contrast, NGOs, civil society groups and others shed light on how such targets are unsustainable for Malta.
Overtourism is usually understood to mean that the number of tourists exceeds a destination’s true or perceived carrying capacity, leaving negative impacts as a result.
These negative impacts affect the country’s population directly. In Malta’s case in particular, negative impacts include the increase of housing costs as a result of short-lets, accumulation of litter, noise pollution, public spaces blocked with tables and chairs from bars and restaurants, overcrowding, power cuts as a result of strains on the electricity grid, and sewage spills in the sea. All of these have a direct impact on the population’s quality of life.
Narratives that effectively downplay or deny the issue of overtourism in Malta are harmful because unsustainable tourism has real impacts on communities.
