Another summer of chaos awaits British holidaymakers, with a new wave of protests already erupting across tourist hotspots in Europe, all with one singular complaint — overtourism. From Tenerife to Athens, anti-tourism activists have come out on the streets with slogans like ‘tourists go home’ and demonstrated just how much they dislike the impact of tourism on the places hey call home.
These scenes are very similar to last year, when large scale demonstrations against overtourism once again erupted across Europe. Spain in particular saw massive protests on the streets of many of its major cities like Barcelona, with angry locals seen spraying tourists with water pistols.
Residents across Spain — especially in popular holiday destinations like Tenerife and Majorca — are increasingly connecting the surge in tourism and holiday rentals to the rising cost of living.
While Spain, Greece, and Italy seem to be cooling off on British tourists, a nearby Mediterranean island is doing just the opposite — warmly embracing UK holidaymakers with open arms.
A mere 17 miles in length and nine miles in breadth, the picturesque island of Malta may be small in size, but it’s big in heart. This sun-kissed island in the Mediterranean between the North African coast and Sicily is straight out of a dream. Last year, the island recorded its highest number of tourists with a staggering 3.56million visitors, up by a fifth from 2023, according to Malta Tourism Authority CEO Carlo Micallef. With the Maltese population standing at 563,000, their tourism figures are more than six times that number — with British tourists making up the largest chunk.
Now, a pub manager in Malta is encouraging Britons to swap out destinations that are turning them away and choose the island nation instead — where British tourists are being warmly welcomed with open arms.
Marisa Farrugia, who operates the Red Lion Pub in Saint Paul’s Bay, told MailOnline: “We get a lot of British tourists in here… the more we have, the better for us!
“I think tourists feel more welcomed in Malta, the locals are more friendly here… if they’re not welcome elsewhere because of anti-tourism, hopefully people will come here more.” She joked that the popular pub is often the first stop for parched visitors after they leave the airport.
Saint Paul’s Bay is a well-liked tourist town on the northeast coast of Malta in the Northern Region, boasting a population of around 38,000. Like Spain’s renowned resorts, it draws in a large number of British tourists, and Ms Farrugia says the town depends on foreign visitors.
“I don’t think we have any anti-tourism feelings here. People rely on tourism here a lot,” she said. She remembered that following the Covid pandemic which led to the closure of the airport, “it was literally like a ghost town” for years. “There was nothing, we had nothing, without the tourists we had nothing”, she expressed, adding that the business brought by foreigners is “very important for us”.
In fact, all it takes is a quick gander around any corner of Malta to realise just how much the island country embraces British culture. With pints as cheap as £2.25, rows of British-themed pubs like Diana’s and Red Lion dot the aptly named Tourist Street in the island’s Saint Paul’s Bay area.
That’s not all. In Malta’s historically-rich capital of Valletta, a huge statue of Queen Victoria stands tall in Republic Square. The Queen Victoria pub ensures the British theme continues across the streets.
With the British expat community deeply integrated into the archipelago fabric, the island boasts around 15,000 British expats, and several of them are situated in the St Paul’s Bay area. In fact, the Royal British Legion bar in Valletta is frequented not only by the Maltese but also by Britons in scores. Just across the water, Sliema’s seafront is also home to traditional pubs, many of which have adopted names inspired by the Royal Family.
The archipelago takes immense pride in being home to not one, but three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the mysterious Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, the compact yet magnificent capital Valletta, and a clutch of megalithic temples, which are some of the earliest free-standing buildings on the planet.
Malta ensures visitors are spoiled with its climate – milder winters average 18C and sultry summers soar to 34C. While winters may bring some rain, summers indulge in pure dryness, boasting four times as much sunshine as London.
This family of five islands – Malta itself, Gozo, Comino, plus the uninhabited Kemmunett (Comminotto) and Filfla – supports around 520,000 inhabitants. Nestled between Comino and Kemmunett is the famous Blue Lagoon, regularly described by those lucky enough to dip into its waters as “paradise on earth”. This sought-after destination features an expansive stretch of crystal-clear blue waters, paired with powdery white sand.
Mdina is another attraction not to be missed; a fortified city that boasts a history as the nation’s capital from ancient through medieval times. Valletta, which stands as the current capital and also holds the title of the smallest capital in the EU, displays a primarily Baroque aesthetic with influences of Neo-Classical and Modern designs. The city’s renown comes from its formidable fortifications and the sheer magnificence of its palatial residences, lush gardens, and epic churches.
The islands are steeped in tradition, boasting incredible fireworks and vibrant village festas that promise a hearty welcome and delicious eats during celebrations like Carnival, Mnarja, and Saints’ Days.
Not one for cultural excursions? No problem – Malta is the perfect spot to kick back on the beach with a gripping read. And you can’t miss out on a day trip to Gozo, particularly if diving piques your interest.
As you wander, you might spot familiar sights; Malta has been a go-to location for numerous movies and TV series, including Game of Thrones, Gladiator, Captain Phillips, and World War Z.
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