Scuba diving as Mediterranean Culture. Preservation and presentation of Gozo’s maritime heritage

Abstract

Heritage Malta and the Malta Tourism Authority have recently endeavored to increase “quality tourism” in the Maltese Islands. One way of doing so is by encouraging cultural tourism in Malta and Gozo, and by preserving the maritime heritage of the islands by presenting Malta as a premier diving destination. This is in contrast to the “sun, sea, and sand” image that has disappointed recent tourism statistics in Malta. This study discusses the ways in which Gozitans are preserving their maritime heritage through diving and how they are presenting this avenue of heritage to the public and divers as potential tourists.