Will climate change affect the seafood tourism industry in Malta?

Abstract

This dissertation aims to understand climate change's effects on Malta’s seafood tourism industry. For the researcher to gain more information regarding this study’s research questions, one would need to interview various stakeholders who all have great insights and information which will help the researcher gather more data and assess the information collected. Four different types of stakeholders had consented to take part in an interview with the researcher, and these included individuals who consisted of tourists, fishermen, restaurant managers, and academics. The researcher interviewed nine participants who all explained in detail their opinions and views of seafood tourism in Malta and their opinions regarding Malta’s effects of climate change. From the information gathered by the researcher, one can suggest that Malta has many opportunities to grow and enhance the tourists’ experience and promote the island as a gastronomic tourist experience. Furthermore, Malta has already been affected by the harsh effects of climate change, including the rising levels of seawater, an increase in temperature in the sea, and very warm weather. The researcher has concluded that although Malta’s effects of climate change have already been studied and evaluated, there is also a lot of potential to help and protect Malta’s environment while simultaneously marketing Malta as an ideal gastronomic tourist destination. At the end of this dissertation, the researcher also explained in detail what was discussed during the interviews depending on each individual and stakeholder. The researcher also explained what types of recommendations could be used to constantly improve Malta’s seafood tourism industry, and protect the marine life within the Maltese archipelago.