Small European island 3 hours from the UK 'overrun' with 10,000 tourists a day

With its idyllic Mediterranean climate, rich history spanning more than 7,000 years, and stunning beaches, it's little wonder that this picturesque European island has become a holiday haven.

Situated between Sicily and the North African coast, Malta welcomed nearly 3.6 million tourists in 2024 and is expecting even more this year. Just a 20-minute journey from the mainland lies the island of Comino, famous for its breathtaking Blue Lagoon - a natural 1.4 square-mile pool that has become a magnet for tourists.

What was once a tranquil destination is now overrun with 10,000 visitors daily, according to Metro, leaving locals increasingly frustrated with the industry that brings "unsustainable" numbers to the area during peak season.

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In February, Malta's Tourism Minister, Ian Borg, vowed to "clean up" Comino by introducing a capacity cap to prevent commercial boat operators from overwhelming the area.

"During July and August, 10,000 people descend on Comino's Blue Lagoon every day, and that's too many," the minister stated, according to The Times of Malta.

He noted that the island could not "keep permitting operators to unload boatloads of 700 or 800 passengers at one time in such a small space," adding that the "plan is to reduce the number of passengers by half".

Comino, with its mere two permanent residents, is not just a picturesque getaway but also a Natura 2000 marine protected area and an Important Bird Area (IBA), crucial for the 50 to 80 breeding pairs of yelkouan shearwaters it supports.

Tourism experts have expressed concerns about the impact of overtourism on Comino and proposed potential solutions.

Eammon Turley, CEO of MPV Rentals, expressed his full backing for Minister Borg's capacity cap to the Express: "It's a good move if Malta wants to preserve Comino for future generations and maintain its charm as a destination [in] nature."

He warned about the often-overlooked impact of mass tourism: "Most tourists forget that huge crowds have tangible environmental effects- like destroying bird habitats, rodents from the garbage food, and wearing out the very shores and water tourists travelled miles to see in the first place."

Turleyalso highlighted the importance of balancing tourism income with sustainability: "Something to consider here, too, is achieving balance between tourism revenue and long-term sustainability," adding that reducing visitor numbers doesn't put off tourists but rather enhances their experience.

He added: "Cutting back on numbers doesn't deter tourists-it makes it smarter. I always tell tourists to get out and visit more than the biggest attractions first."

Turleyencouraged visitors to explore beyond the well-trodden paths: "Malta has got so many other lovely things, like little coves, promenades, and culture that can give a fuller and calmer experience. Comino's not just about the Blue Lagoon - it's about the whole island. A more even distribution of visitors across different areas and times would be a great help in decongesting the areas."

Travel expert Alexandra Dubakova, CMO at Free Walking Tours, echoed: "Even with the 10,000 tourists per day, most areas of the island are under-visited. Zejtun, for example, is one of Malta's oldest towns. Yet it is ignored because it is inland and not on cruise routes.

"Last month, one of our Maltese guides cancelled a walking tour in Valletta because the streets were too congested. The guide couldn't show our clients around well enough to give them a meaningful experience without interference. The overstrain is slowly starting to collapse cultural experiences, beating the point of tourism.

"I believe the solution should be better flow management. Nudge travellers to the ignored locations so tourists spread out and stay longer. Capping daily numbers without diversifying visitors' experience might turn Malta into a gated attraction."

Meanwhile, Roisin Miller, who runs the travel blog roabouttown, recounted her visit to Malta from three years past and described the Blue Lagoon as "so busy we couldn't find a place to sit and could barely find somewhere to bob in the water".

She expressed her lack of surprise at Minister Borg’s measures, saying: "It will be sad for some tourists, but the rocks and area need protecting. Plus it was not actually enjoyable as a tourist [...] I do think more needs to be done to stop overtourism."

Kanika Puri, Chief Customer Officer at Fast Cover Travel Insurance, cast a spotlight on the contentious approval of a substantial hotel set to be constructed on the island in the coming years.

"Not only [is] the construction is highly disputed but it also doesn't solve the issue of curbing mass tourism in the meantime," she remarked.

Heading towards luxury and exclusivity, the brand-new Six Senses Comino is set to welcome its first guests in 2027. Developed by HV Hospitality, under the wing of Hili Ventures, and to be overseen by the opulent hotel brand Six Senses—as stated by European Spa Magazine—the retreat promises to sprawl across two island bays, boasting 71 suites, 19 retreats, and an indulgent spa.

Maltese-American Liz Delia of Zest for Latitudes reflected on the island's tourist density, observing that while Malta on the whole hasn't seemed more packed than other Mediterranean hotspots, Comino remains a "clear exception", with environmental concerns around the iconic Blue Lagoon looming large.

"When we were there in 2023, we actually skipped Comino altogether and spent time instead exploring quieter bays and coves on Gozo and the main island. Comino is undeniably stunning, but it's hard to enjoy when it's packed with people.

"That's also what I suggest to my readers: if they're set on going, try to visit in the shoulder season - May, September, or even October. Otherwise, there are plenty of equally gorgeous (and more peaceful) alternatives."