PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TOURISM Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg launches talks on tourism community support pilot project with the Swieqi and Valletta local councils

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg is launching talks with the local councils of Swieqi and Valletta, to plan and implement a tourism community support pilot project in these localities.

He is meeting with the two local councils this week, to discuss proposals aimed at helping localities strike a better balance between tourism and residents’ wellbeing. The pilot project will help residents in tourism zones tackle challenges related to waste management, public order, as well as the management of holiday accommodations and long-let rental properties. 

Through this initiative, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism is working with other ministries, to provide targeted support to Swieqi and Valletta, two localities that experienced increased tourism activity in recent years. Based on the results of this pilot, this support can then be extended to other tourism zones across Malta and Gozo.    

The pilot project was announced by Dr Borg last week. “We want to help local councils implement tangible solutions to the unintended impacts of tourism on our communities,” he said, adding that “by working together, and providing the required resources, we will ensure that residents continue to benefit from the success of tourism, while safeguarding their quality of life.”