With tourism figures on the rise, safeguarding Malta’s beauty and cultural heritage has started to take priority. While some European cities like Dubrovnik are famously placing caps on the number of tourists allowed in, individuals travelling to Malta can do much to continue loving the country - in every way - while still enjoying what it has to offer.
1. Say no to plastic
A hot topic on everyone’s lips, reducing and recycling plastic can go far in minimising the effects of waste on the landscape and sea. When travelling, take a BPA refillable water bottle with you and watch out for those free water dispensers found at the airport, in many sites and in your hotel. Going out for a drink in the evening? Make sure you instruct the waiter to hold the straw – unfortunately it still takes some telling on the island – or simply choose your bar on the availability of bamboo or sugar alternatives. If you’re renting an apartment and enjoy cooking while on holiday, remember your own reusable bag, and fruit and vegetable containers, when you go shopping.
2. Choose a ‘green’ hotel
Before booking your dreamy hotel, read up on whether it has a recycling programme; what they do to minimise their carbon footprint and even whether they donate any of their proceeds to causes promoting sustainability. In summary, choose a conscientious hotel, free from the controversies of steam-rolled development and careless operations. When settled in your home for the trip, make sure you recycle your towel and do not use the hotel’s laundry, as they usually wash every guest’s clothes separately. You can also leave the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on your hotel room door every couple of days to save on the waste which is a side product of cleaning.
3. Save water and electricity
Just because you’re on holiday doesn’t mean you can be cavalier about your water or electricity use. Try and take showers instead of baths, which are known to use double the amount of water. Make sure you turn everything off as you leave the hotel room and shut the taps if you’re not using them – these may be standard issue rules, but you’d be surprised how many people look the other way.
4. Clean up after yourself
Several Maltese NGOs have made clean-ups the cornerstone of their contribution to society, and with good reason too. The island has suffered immensely from careless waste disposal, with some locals disregarding the rules. Mentalities are changing drastically so make sure you take a small bag with you to dispose of your waste when you got o the beach. If you have kids, you can even make this a source of some fun and have a friendly competition to see who can clean up the most. And, when your holiday comes to an end, make sure you take your empty soap and shampoo bottles or toothpaste tubes back with you – otherwise they’ll just be chucked in the bin by hotel staff, with no guarantee that these will be separated from other waste.
5. Support local
What’s the point of travelling to a new country if you’re not going to seek out what has truly made it unique for centuries? Choose souvenirs which have been made on the island – and which haven’t had to be flown in from Taiwan! Where possible, pick those restaurants which make use of local ingredients – you not only get to have an authentic taste of Maltese delicacies, but you also support the local community. Avoid franchises at all costs and discover what makes this place tick.
6. Respect the sites and the people
Though it may sometimes seem otherwise, rules were NOT made to be broken. Many museums have a ‘no flash’ policy – this has not been created on a whim but to protect the exhibits, so take pride in adhering to it. When you go diving, make sure you don’t touch or step on coral or stir up any sediment, and choose a diving school which prioritises marine preservation. But its not only the environment which needs your respect: Maltese people (like most others) love it if you show respect by speaking a few words in the language. Think of learning how to say ‘thank you’ or ‘good morning’. Brownie points guaranteed!
7. Give back – including left over tourist material
You don’t necessarily need to dig deep into your pocket to give to the local communities. While you may, of course, donate funds to causes close to our heart on the island (and this is encouraged!), there are other, smaller, ways in which you can show your appreciation to the island for hosting you. Donate any tourist books you’ve amassed to the local Malta Tourism Authority outlets or to your hotel; you can even give your holiday reads to your hotel, so they can be recycled and enjoyed by someone new.
8. Think about your transport
Getting around in Malta can be tricky – there are no two ways about it. The bus system may leave some things to be desired, though it works decently if you are not in a hurry to get to your destination or if you’re based in one of the harbour regions. Between Valletta, Birgu and Sliema, shuttle boats are a green way of getting around – and are truly a joy to experience! If you’d like a bit more flexibility, consider renting a hybrid or electric car which will probably be the best of all worlds!