Malta passed in 2025 for the first time the 4-million international arrivals mark

Malta islands have recorded unprecedented tourism results in 2025 recording the highest increase in bed nights across the European Union. Is it however compatible with the strategy of turning Malta into a higher-value, lower-impact tourism model?

Announcing the figures at the National Tourism Conference, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg said the results confirm Malta’s long-term strategy to reshape the industry around sustainability, resilience and higher-quality visitor experiences.

According to the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA), total visitor expenditure surpassed €3.9 billion last year, up 18.6% year-on-year and 44% higher than in 2023. Average spending per visitor also rose significantly, increasing from €924 to €971.

Malta and Gozo meanwhile welcomed 4,022,310 visitors in 2025, generating more than 25.4 million guest nights — an 11% increase compared with 2024. It turned Malta into the fastest-growing destination in the EU, where the average rise stood at roughly 2%.

Fostering sustainable year-round tourism

While overall arrivals growth slowed to 12.9% compared with 19.4% the previous year, authorities highlighted stronger seasonal balance, with off-peak travel rising by 19%, signalling progress in efforts to drive year-round tourism.

Borg said the results demonstrate the country’s positioning as a premium destination, attracting travelers willing to spend more on distinctive cultural and experiential offerings in Malta and Gozo. However, he stressed that the strong performance leaves “no room for complacency,” calling on industry stakeholders to continue investing and collaborating to ensure sustainable growth.

Key initiatives include boosting long-haul connectivity — notably the launch of direct Malta–New York flights from June — introducing new regulatory standards for hotels and short-term rentals following public consultation, and prioritizing value-driven events and cultural programming in the low season.

Government plans also include increased investment in public infrastructure and accelerating the tourism sector’s digital transition through AI tools to better manage visitor flows and refine overseas marketing.

Green Party estimates that Malta is reaching its saturation point

However, not everyone is completely happy about this evolution. Malta’s Green Party has warned that record tourism numbers highlight growing over-tourism pressures rather than a success story. The 4 million tourists in 2025 (tripling the figure recorded in 2010) prompts renewed debate about sustainability and carrying capacity.

Malta Green Party chairperson Sandra Gauci argued that unchecked growth risks harming local communities and the environment, stressing that increasing visitor numbers does not necessarily translate into better quality tourism or fairer economic benefits. She cited rising traffic congestion, waste, pressure on water and energy resources, and the expansion of tourist infrastructure as key concerns.

Gauci pointed to Comino as a clear example of over-exploitation, with environmental protections strained by heavy tourist flows. She also highlighted social impacts, including rising rents and loss of local character, urging Malta to adopt stricter controls similar to measures introduced in Venice and Ibiza.

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