Tackling the Comino Overcrowding Issues

Comino, long marketed as one of Malta’s crown jewels, has become a victim of its own success. Tourists arrive expecting sun, sand, and tranquillity, only to encounter a crowded shoreline filled with deckchairs, umbrellas, and a level of chaos that undermines the very experience being sold. What was once a natural paradise has become an example of over-tourism, where unchecked numbers erode both visitor satisfaction and environmental integrity.

Comino's overcrowding issues

The defining challenge is overcrowding. Despite being one of Malta’s most visited sites, there are no official statistics on the number of visitors to Comino. Without a clear understanding of demand, authorities lack the baseline data needed to manage flows sustainably. At the same time, NGOs have pointed out another problem: beach operators occupying public land by setting up deckchairs and umbrellas at dawn. This not only restricts visitor choice but effectively privatizes a resource that belongs to all.

The tourism paradox

The situation in Comino is a textbook case of the “Tourism Paradox.” Tourism depends on natural beauty, yet excessive pressure degrades the very environment it seeks to promote. International research illustrates the dangers. A 2006 study of La Pelosa beach in Sardinia showed how decades of uncontrolled tourism accelerated erosion and disrupted the beach’s dune system. Over time, authorities realised that leaving the situation unchecked would risk destroying the site altogether.

A crowded Blue Lagoon

Learning from Sardinia

Sardinian authorities introduced a simple but effective system that can work for Comino's overcrowding: caps on the number of daily visitors, coupled with a low booking fee. At La Pelosa, tourists now reserve their place online for €3.50 and wear identification bracelets on entry. The result has been better visitor experiences, reduced ecological pressure, and funding for conservation. This system has become a model for other overcrowded Mediterranean beaches.

Applying lessons to Comino

The same logic applies to Malta. With demand for Comino so high, it is unrealistic to expect the island to continue absorbing unlimited numbers of visitors without ecological and social consequences. Introducing visitor caps is not about limiting access arbitrarily; it is about ensuring the beach remains usable for future generations. Those who secure a spot would enjoy a less crowded, higher-quality experience, while the ecosystem would be allowed to recover.

The case for an entry fee

Alongside caps, a modest entry fee could serve two purposes. First, it would cover the administrative costs of managing a booking and monitoring system. Second, it could fund conservation projects on Comino, such as dune protection or waste management. Economically, the logic is straightforward: imposing a price curbs excess demand. For Maltese residents, exemptions or reduced fees could be considered to ensure local access is preserved. For tourists, the additional cost would be negligible compared to the value of a sustainable natural experience.

A Comino carrying capacity system

A concrete policy response would begin by establishing baseline data through mandatory monitoring of daily arrivals to Comino, including through ferry operators. This would provide the information needed to define a sustainable carrying capacity. Based on those findings, a reservation system could be introduced to set a maximum number of daily visitors, with access granted through an online platform and slots allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Finally, a small conservation levy of around €3–5 could be charged to non-residents, earmarked for environmental management projects on the island.

Balancing tourism and conservation

Malta has reached a crossroads in its management of Comino. Continuing the current path will degrade the island irreversibly, with long-term damage to both the ecosystem and Malta’s tourism brand. Implementing caps and a conservation levy offers a pragmatic solution that balances access with preservation.

Ultimately, the question is whether policymakers treat Comino as an open-access free-for-all or as a fragile national treasure requiring careful stewardship. International experience shows that the latter approach works. Malta would do well to follow suit before paradise is lost.