Sunday, September 4, 2016

Should Comino visitor numbers be capped?

As many as 5,000 visitors land on Comino daily at the peak of the summer season, many of them spending their whole time at the Blue Lagoon. Photo: Steve Zammit Lupi

As tourist pressures on Comino's Blue Lagoon reach fever point this summer, environmental organisations believe a cap on the number of visitors may be needed to preserve the iconic bay. As many as 5,000 visitors land on Comino daily at the peak of the summer season, according to some estimates, many of them spending their whole time on the island at the Blue Lagoon. The situation has caused strife this summer due to deckchair hawkers breaching regulations and causing inconvenience to exploit the situation, but campaigners warn the effect on the sensitive natural environment could be even more serious. Maria Grazia Cassar, president of Din L-Art Ħelwa, which administers key heritage sites on Comino, said capping tourist visits was the best way forward. "The tourism industry should focus on quality, not quantity, as the carrying capacity of the site must be established and respected for the enjoyment of all," she told The Sunday Times of Malta. Tourist caps are common at delicate sites overseas, with Iceland's own Blue Lagoon and Italy's picturesque region of Cinque Terre both having introduced similar measures recently. The approach is also considered in the Natura 2000...

from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2czo8JT
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