Master plan for Malta’s diving industry

A new master plan to support a sustainable diving industry in Malta was launched today and Minister for tourism and culture Mario de Marco said the idea was to give a strategic direction to the Malta Tourism Authority, the government and the private sector.

“The strategy is to promote sustainable tourism. We’re not saying tourism at all costs but rather tourism which respects the environment and promoting the least possible impacting activities,” de Marco said.

The plan proposed is based on the concept that a large number of tourists visit Malta specifically for diving and there are a large number of diving schools in Malta which should be promoted.

“The average length of stay for divers is actually longer than most and there are 46 diving schools in Malta and Gozo. There is a lot more that can be done to increase the number of diving tourists such as increasing value for money and routes to Malta,” de Marco said.

Mentioning several points which should be promoted for Malta as a diving destination, such as clean waters, year-round sea temperature, the minimal time to travel from accommodation to diving sites, de Marco said the country already had a good name for itself.

“Malta is indicated as the third best diving destination on the popular UK Diver Magazine after Egypt and the Maldives. On several other websites, Malta and Gozo has made into the top ten lists,” de Marco said.

The minister said that more is needed to make the seas more attractive and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) has already designated four spots around Malta as marine protected areas.

“We have to go beyond simple protection. We have to increase ocean life and biodiversity. The public aquarium will also have a diving institute established with a pool for beginners,” de Marco said.

The Master Plan was created with consultation from ADI Associates and feedback from the Professional Diving Schools Association of Malta, Gozo and Comino (PDSA).

The plan will also be open for public feedback for four weeks until 21 February before anything is implemented.

MTA project manager Kevin Fsadni said that the main priority of the authority was to market the country beyond its shores by always giving importance to the produce offered.

“The diving niche has always been close to heart within the MTA and this confirms our commitment. We are constantly trying to improve the accessibility for diving sites while also scuttling to increase sites for divers,” Fsadni said.

 Fsadni explained that scuttling is a complicated process and involves plenty of MEPA applications and ensuring minimal impact on the ocean’s environment and sea life.

Managing Director of ADI associates Adrian Mallia explained that the primary objective of the project was to formulate a diving master plan for Malta.

“We wanted establish a framework to improve sustainability of the diving industry in Malta and looked at each individual site to try and improve the infrastructure for divers,” Mallia said.

Delving into the challenges being faced by such a project, Mallia explained the strategic objectives from a short to medium term and medium to long term.

“On a short to medium term we want to upgrade shore and boat dive sites, encourage further marketing of the product, ensuring dive sites are better managed and protected, whilst also diversifying the product,” Mallia said.

Medium to long term objectives include cleaner seas, environmental awareness and training, maintaining and improving standards of diving, environmental protection. The Master Plan can be viewed online here: http://www.mta.com.mt/divingmasterplan