Capitalising on our resources : sustainable tourism development in Malta?

Abstract

This chapter presents an overview of tourism development in Malta over the last century with emphasis placed on the latter half when the Maltese Islands geared up for mass tourism. This overview takes place within the context of the utilisation of socio-cultural resources and how these were appropriated for the development of a strong tourism industry, despite the challenges that the Maltese Islands faced in the aftermath of the Second World War. The historical evidence presented is tinted by a series of vignettes which trace the islands’ transition from that of a fortress colony to open arms hospitality. The author queries whether the tourism development strategies pursued to date, include the sustainable leverage of local resources of social capital and the formulation of policies meant to achieve a better balance between unbridled construction and environmental protection.