Malta flagged as European destination most at risk of overtourism

Malta has been highlighted as one of Europe’s destinations most at risk of overtourism, joining other popular spots such as Barcelona, Venice and Japan that are struggling to balance economic gains with the strain of high visitor numbers.

The Daily Mail reports that while cities like Barcelona and Venice have seen anti-tourism protests in recent months, smaller countries are increasingly being flagged as vulnerable.

The country’s economic well-being has and will continue to significantly rely on its influx of tourists, as Malta now hosts five tourists for every resident, a ratio that places it among the top five most tourism-saturated destinations in the world. 

In May of this year alone, over 300,000 visitors descended upon its shores, yet, as arrivals surge, so too does local frustration. Crowded beaches, congested roads, and rising rents have left many questioning whether the economic benefits of tourism are worth the social and environmental costs.

The Daily Mail calculated that Malta is balancing around 29,213 tourists per square mile.

Beyond statistics, visitors themselves are increasingly aware of the island’s growing pressures.

On Saturday, a tourist visiting Malta told me that while he had received several recommendations for sites to see, one area had been firmly crossed off his list: “I won’t be going to Paceville, from what I’ve seen on social media, it’s not safe at all,” he remarked.

Such perceptions highlight the delicate balance the country faces in managing its reputation while continuing to promote itself as a party destination.

Wider European trends

The Daily Mail contrasted Malta’s rising numbers with Ireland, which has struggled to regain pre-pandemic momentum. While 11 million tourists visited Ireland in 2019, only 6.6 million travelled there in 2024. “Ireland has long had a reputation as an expensive country, and when pennies are being pinched in holidaymakers’ pockets, cheaper destinations are likely to win out,” travel writer Nicola Brady told The Telegraph.

Other destinations like Albania are also experiencing surges. The Balkan nation, increasingly dubbed “the Maldives of Europe,” welcomed 11.3 million tourists in 2024, an 84.3 per cent increase since 2019. Outside Europe, Japan received around 37 million visitors last year, prompting authorities to consider stricter number caps at tourist sites and higher tourist taxes.

While tourism remains one of Malta’s most important industries, the island now faces the challenge of balancing economic reliance on visitors with the long-term sustainability of its towns, environment, and quality of life for residents.