Impact assessment of tourism development on Maltese sandy beaches

Abstract

The limited natural resources of Maltese Islands are highly demanded by local and foreign visitors. Since the growth tourism industry in Malta, sandy beaches became centre of recreational activities and a major concentration of economic importance creating a great pressure on the environment. The individual examination of sandy beaches in the Islands and their physical and natural alterations due to increased pressure of various uses are not fully available. The need for specific analysis of each beach is indicated by the fact that every bay is different in its nature and type (e.g. rural, village or urban) and thus needs individual management approach. This study assessed four sandy beaches in the Maltese Islands identified construction-related development, replenishment projects and direct recreational use, as major impacts on the nature of the beaches, their sediment dynamics and other biotic communities. All of these impacts are directly or indirectly caused by tourism development. The origin, present state, physical aspects and beach management practices of the beaches under the study were examined and compared across beaches through a mixture of aerial photography, literature searches and sites visits. The pressure to which sandy beaches are exposed was assessed by identifying rates of urbanisation, especially tourism-related developments, and increased number of users' activities. An effective beach management, such as holistic and integrated management is required in order to minimize impacts of leisure industry and assure sustainability.