19 - 25 July 2001

Environmental damage and tourism industry

Pictures of sewage pouring out of a drain at Kennedy Grove, carried on Tuesday in The Malta Independent highlight the massive infrastructural problems that exist in our drainage system. Although the authorities were quick to take action to repair the damage – better still, change the whole thing – it was evident that either the systems in question are hardly serviced or else they are left there until they are beyond repair and have to be changed. The latter seems to be the most plausible explanation for what has happened over the past week or so.
The whole issue, however, requires a much more in-depth analysis. It goes beyond the drainage problem and the ensuing pollution of our beaches – the few that are left. Such problems affect not only our image but also the tourism industry, which is a major source of revenue for this country. At this time of the year, it is tantamount to economic suicide. Neither does it say much about our environmental awareness.
The Maltese tourism industry’s strongest months are between May and October. With more than one million tourists visiting every year, the majority at this time of the year, it is a disgrace that so many of our beaches are contaminated by sewage that is being pumped into the sea. The majority of tourists come to Malta for the sun and the sea. However, they are arrive in Malta only to find that most beaches and shorelines are unfit for bathing.
To make matters worse, the authorities have taken their time to put up the necessary warning signs. It is ironic that the Malta Tourism Authority – which should be fuming – issued a statement saying that the fixing of signs ‘pertains exclusively’ to the health department weeks after the first reports were carried in the newspapers. The Authority, at the end of the day, is responsible for Malta’s image abroad and should have done much more than just issuing a statement. Tourism is a main driving force behind the economy and, as their direct responsibility, the MTA should have been banging on every door to ensure that the island’s shorelines and beaches were made fit for bathing.
Another question begs to be asked. The authorities have suddenly found out that the drainage system in the north of Malta is beyond repair and is being changed. Why weren’t checks carried out on the drainage system during the first months of the year to ensure that by summer, any repairs would have been carried out? Now, as chaos broke out at a number of pumping stations, public works employees have been working around the clock to rectify a situation that could have been avoided. Meanwhile, the thousands of tourists who are in Malta search for the best place to swim without fear of getting an infection.
Unfortunately, this attitude is typical of how the Maltese think and work. As this country aspires to join the European Union, we are going to have to change our “if it ain’t broke, leave it” mentality. The government is going to face an uphill struggle when it comes to negotiations with the EU on environmental issues. This will be one tough nut that will be very hard to crack. Then again, the environment should not become a political issue. Having a decent and safe environment is a must, whether we are members of the EU or not. Neither the government nor the people seem to understand this simple concept.
Let us take a hypothetical, yet very possible, situation. Imagine a foreign journalist is in Malta on holiday. He is unable to go swimming because beaches are polluted, the stench is killing and he hears that many tourists have suffered ear and throat infections. He returns home and writes a story recalling his very bad experience in Malta. He goes on to say that our fair island is nothing more than a mass of rock surrounded by polluted seas and smelling of sewage. Do the authorities realise what effect such an article could have on their efforts to promote Malta? Can Malta afford any form of bad publicity? The answers are no and no.
There is more at risk than the country’s image. If the tourism industry is harmed by bad publicity or neglect closer to home, it will take more than an advertising campaign to repair the damage. At risk are thousands of jobs and the livelihood of so many.