Tourism impact on water consumption in Malta

Abstract

Islands attract tourists who spend money on goods and services and therefore generate income and employment in the host country. However the tourist industry also generates demand for natural resources such as water which is very limited and very precious to small islands, especially in the Mediterranean islands, where precipitation rates are very low. This paper identifies the factors which influence the demand and supply of water and what can be done to economise on the use of water, particularly in the tourist sector, in Malta. This study reports on the results of surveys conducted purposely by the present author to assess water consumption among tourists and local residents. The results indicate that the average tourist consumes more water when compared to the local resident. This paper suggests that the tourism industry in small Mediterranean islands should develop methods to economise on water, through appropriate water management strategies.