ADPD-The Green Party said Saturday that the influx of visitors has degraded the quality of life for residents, particularly in areas like St Paul's Bay, St Julian's, Sliema, and Swieqi. Addressing the media, party chairperson Sandra Gauci highlighted issues such as excessive noise, litter, rowdy behaviour, and a lack of enforcement that allows inappropriate conduct to continue unchecked. She criticized authorities for prioritizing economic gains over residents' well-being.

Gauci noted that the Saint Paul's Bay Local Council has approved a motion requesting that eco-tax revenues from tourists be allocated directly to local councils. This would enable affected localities to address the strain on infrastructure and services caused by tourism. She expressed disappointment that Labour Party councillors opposed the motion and stressed that localities bearing the brunt of tourism should receive compensation to mitigate its negative effects.

Secretary General Ralph Cassar expanded on the party's proposals, calling for an increase in the eco-tax beyond the current €0.50 per day and the removal of the €5 cap. He urged Tourism Minister Ian Borg to take immediate action. Cassar also called for the withdrawal of a planning policy that allows hotels to build two additional storeys above approved height limits, arguing that there are already enough beds to accommodate visitors.

The National Statistics Office (NSO) reported an 8.1% rise in hotel stays in the second quarter of 2025 compared to 2024, signaling ongoing growth in tourist numbers. Cassar warned that overtourism is causing more harm than good, eroding community life and pressuring infrastructure. He urged the government to commission an updated study on Malta's carrying capacity, noting that an older study by the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) needs revision. He further criticized the government's Vision 2050 plan, which aims to attract 4.5 million tourists annually by 2035, calling for its immediate abandonment.

The party also raised concerns over apartments intended for residential use being converted into tourist accommodation, often without registration or authorization from the Tourism Authority. They stressed that this practice drives residents out of their own communities. ADPD insists that such conversions must require approval from local councils to protect neighborhoods from unchecked commercialization.

Summary of Proposals

• Increase the eco-tax rate above €0.50 per day and remove the €5 cap.
• Allocate eco-tax revenue directly to local councils based on tourist numbers.
• Withdraw the planning policy allowing hotels to exceed height limits by two storeys.
• Conduct an urgent study on Malta's tourism carrying capacity and halt plans to reach 4.5 million tourists annually by 2035.
• Enforce a policy ensuring apartments built as residences remain for residential use.
• Require local council consent for any conversion of residences to tourist accommodation.

ADPD emphasises that tourism must be sustainable, balancing economic benefits with residents' right to a good quality of life.