An article on the BBC speaks of how the island of Comino is being given a second chance as Maltese authorities are introducing a daily visitor cap - reducing the number of tour boat day-trippers from 10,000 to 5,000.

The article, written by Dayna Camilleri Clarke, a former editor of The Malta Business Weekly, quotes BirdLife Malta CEO Mark Sultana saying that this is a significant step in the right direction, but only a partial fix.

"Limiting numbers is a good start," he says. "But we need a public sustainability plan that doesn't just focus on crowd control but also on preserving Comino's fragile ecosystem. We are insisting it should have a ticket control system where only a capped number of tickets can be issued each day."

With the new regulations in place, the hope is that Comino can regain some of its lost charm, offering a more enjoyable experience while safeguarding its ecosystem. But some feel the damage is already done. "With so many people wearing it down year after year, I just hope there's something left for future generations to enjoy," seasoned Malta tour guide Joanne Gatt says.

Tourist "go to Comino expecting paradise and leave disappointed," she says. "Overcrowded, chaotic. Hopefully the cap on visitors will make a real difference."

It's a wonderful place "at this time of the year", Colin Backhouse, who has more than 51,000 followers on his popular Facebook page, Malta Holiday Experiences, says. "But in summer? You couldn't pay me to go near it. It's hell on Earth."

The article in full may be found here