Malta is advancing its sustainable tourism goals through a comprehensive rehabilitation project for the Blue Lagoon on Comino, balancing ecological restoration with enhanced visitor experiences.
Key Project Features
"Blue Lagoon Rehabilitation Balancing Nature and Experience" proposal covers 55,400 square meters, including kiosk removal to create a 200-meter scenic walkway, restoration of 35,000 square meters of garigue landscapes with protective stone walls, and a 20% expansion of the swimming area. Boat operations will relocate from the bay's center for safer access, while degraded sites gain low-profile facilities for seating, food services using reusable packaging, waste management, and information points with green roofs and sustainable materials.
Led by the Malta Tourism Authority, Team Blue Lagoon, and architect Jonathan Mizzi of Mizzi Studio, the plan heals land and sea ecosystems damaged by overuse.
Preliminary Successes
A new booking system this summer cut peak visitor concentrations by 68%, doubled cleaning resources, extended swimming zones by 12%, and improved waste transport off the island. These steps already boost safety, enforcement, and environmental protection at the Natura 2000 site.
Next Steps
Proposals underwent stakeholder consultations, including NGOs, and a planning application was submitted to the Planning Authority, triggering public review and permitting. Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism Minister Ian Borg emphasized safeguarding this national asset for future generations amid growing pressures.