The impact of public transport on the tourism industry in Malta : analysis and reflections

Abstract

"Transport and tourism are interwoven in a complex relationship that has been barely recognized by tourism researchers." (Prideaux 1991 ). Most research studies ignore the influence that transport has on the tourism industry. Both industries are continually undergoing changes when it comes to innovations and new technologies. The importance of tourism has grown worldwide, especially during the past fifteen years. A country benefits from tourism in so many aspects, strengthening the social and economic organization of a country. In this paper the importance of tourism is discussed through the changes in the public transport network in Malta over the years. The literature review thus revolves around such development, the growth of tourism in the past decades as well as the history of transport. In the analysis, public transport in Malta and the impact it has on the tourism industry are discussed. The use of public transport gives an indication of the quality of tourism in Malta. The results are confronted with the Ministry of Tourism's objectives for the tourism industry in Malta and the objectives by the Malta Transport Authority. The author's ideas are substantiated by a questionnaire survey among tourists and from data collected from the Malta Tourism Authority and the National Statistics Office. The conclusions from such results are reflected in the policy context whereby the future of tourism and transport in Malta is discussed. The introduction of standardized procedures such as Total Quality Management is discussed in relation to proposed changes in tourism and transport issues in Malta.