Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella said Malta must evolve its tourism policies from the traditional catering for mass tourism, to tourism that is more environmentally oriented. He was concluding a seminar on the EU’s SIBIT project about the development of cycling routes in rural areas in Malta, together with Sicilian partners from various regions.
The industry, he said, must continually adapt itself to changes, including in technology, economic realities and consumer needs. Rural tourism should help Malta address the seasonality challenge, so that tourists would come even in winter and the low season months.
The SIBIT project, Mr Vella said, should help promote Malta rural heritage, while offering cyclists a wonderful experience of tranquillity in the countryside. The project is an initiative of the Malta Tourism Authority in the Italy-Malta 2007-2013 programme.
Cycling routes have also been established in Sicily, to a grand total of some 1,000 kms. Several hotels in Malta are included in the initiative.