The original research proposal came about as a result of discussions between the MTA and Heritage Malta. Heritage Malta has now submitted a project proposal under the European Structural Funds Programme 2004–2006 with the aim of upgrading the visitor experience and implementing conservation measures at the temples. The preliminary results of the survey have been used as background data in the preparatory work for the proposed heritage park project.

The MTA report concludes that tourists with a specific interest in archaeology represent a significant market niche for Maltese tourism. Given that visitors to the temples amounted to 103,948 (excluding schoolchildren) in 2003 and that 30.5 per cent of survey respondents declared that they visited the temples out of a specific interest in archaeology, it is estimated that this special interest group represents some 30,000 visitors to our island annually.

The highest percentage of tourists visiting the temples was German, followed by the British and French. Tourists usually spend an average of 53 minutes visiting both temples. Tourists visiting independently spend more time than those visiting on a guided tour and 20.5 per cent of those tourists visiting on a guided tour felt that they did not spend enough time at the temple sites.

Nearly 82 per cent of those visiting Hagar Qim and Mnajdra had been to archeological sites in other countries before. When tourists were asked as to the last two archeological sites visited previous to coming to Malta, they identified sites in Greece, Italy and the UK, with Stonehenge being by far the most popular. 21.4 per cent felt that their visit to Hagar Qim was ‘worse’ or ‘much worse’ than their previous visits to other archaeological sites.

As regards facilities and services required by tourists, information about the site and an onsite guide/guiding tool were mentioned as the services that would improve the tourist experience. For 32.4 per cent of respondents, restrooms would also be a desirable facility, while a bookshop and souvenir shop and a restaurant/coffee shop were also mentioned, although to a lesser extent.

Encouragingly, visitor satisfaction levels are relatively high: 81.7 per cent rated their visit as ‘good’ or ‘very good’. Only 4.6 per cent rated their visit as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’. As a result, 96.8 per cent of tourists would be willing to recommend the site to others.