The damage caused by uncontrolled development will have to be taken into account when considering the future of tourism in the Mediterranean, according to Professor of Mediterranean History at the University of Cambridge David Abulafia.
Prof. Abulafia, who earned a British Academy Medal for his best-selling book "The Great Sea: a human history of the Mediterranean," was speaking at the second edition of the Mediterranean Tourism Forum, which is being hosted by the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association at the Malta Hilton.
After an address in which he hailed Malta's "extraordinary connection with the past," which he described as crucial in a region which has had a disproportionate influence on human history, Prof. Abulafia said that he felt that he should conclude on a note of warning, stating that the effects on the environment had to be taken into account.
"The future of Mediterranean tourism has to take into account the damage of uncontrolled building, particularly in parts of Spain, Italy and so on," he maintained, adding that tourism has significantly contributed to pollution and overfishing in the region.
All this, he added, could have an effect on the quality of life in the region, adding that responsible tourism which took into account the interest of the region's residents was crucial.
Another issue which was discussed in the forum, and brought up by a number of speakers, was peace and stability, or the lack thereof
It was first brought up by President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, who opened the forum, who noted that conflicts and instability have affected the flow of tourism in the region.
Unsurprisingly, the issue was also raised by Tunisian hotelier and former foreign minister Tijani Haddad, who noted that the Arab Spring revolts and consequent instability have proven to be a "catastrophe" for Egypt's tourist industry, which saw tourist numbers fall from over 40 million in 2010 to just 6 million last year. Tunisia, meanwhile, received 7 million tourists in 2008 but only expected to receive 6 million this year.
In contrast, Dr Haddad observes, Morocco, which traditionally lagged behind both countries, expects to receive 10 million tourists this year, with the Tunisian hotelier stating that the Moroccan government was wise enough to launch a process of democratic reform before the situation escalated.
On his part, Corinthia Hotels International's Alfred Fabri said that a sense of peace and tranquillity had to be assured before everything else, describing it as a basic psychological need which had to be met, and adding that this was the role of politicians and diplomats.
Attracting new types of tourists
Mr Fabri also argued that Malta had to ensure that it attracts a better class of tourists which could pay better rates than the present Maltese average, and said that slowly, Malta's growing reputation as a financial centre was helping to attract such tourists.
He said that this presented a great opportunity for national consensus, since all stakeholders agreed that attracting quality tourists was a good idea.
In her own address, Ms Coleiro Preca, who said that while the Mediterranean remained a top tourist destination, the region could not afford to rest on its laurels in the face of endless competition, adding that constant change in the sector emphasised the need for greater synergy among all stakeholders.
The Preisdent said that she was confident that the forum would bring forward the elements which were most vital to the overarching stability of the region, including the nurturing of sustainable development, an enhanced natural and cultural heritage and a focus on the Mediterranean identity, which, she said, was best explained through the region's multiculturalism and its rich heritage.
In his own intervention, Indian tourism consultant Prathish Nair argued that the Mediterranean should strive to attract Indian tourists, whose number has been increasing rapidly in recent years.
He said that Indian tourists were generally attracted to places with a rich cultural and historical background, and that the Mediterranean's mild climate - which was relatively similar to the climate in India - also helped. But the traditional model of a sun and sea destination was not enough, he later added, pointing out how Indian tourists could easily go to nearby Maldives instead.
But at the same time, Demetris Spanos, the Mediterranean region director for tourism consulting firm HVS, argued that Chinese tourists should likely not be one of Malta's primary target markets.
e noted that Malta may attract quality tourists, but going for big numbers made no sense as its capacity was much less than other destinations. Mr Spanos also pointed out that Chinese tourists are not generally English speakers - unlike Indian tourists - and often travelled to shopping destinations.
(Pictures by Michael Camilleri)