Our islands' potential for eco-tourism

Abstract

For a long time, tourism was considered a 'white industry' with no need to point out its impact on the social, cultural and ecological environment. Criticism was first voiced in the 1970s, with the same voices of dissent being heard for the first time in Malta roughly 20 years later. Quoting verbatim from the corporate mission statement of the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) - "to advance the economic and social activity of tourism in the national interest by working with all stakeholders to develop a sustainable industry for current and future generations". The word sustainable is heavily underpinned in such a statement.