Anyone who walks the streets of St Julian's, Swieqi or Sliema, especially during the Summer months, can see it for themselves. These are meant to be some of our country's  most sought-after residential areas, yet the reality on the ground shows how over-tourism and overpopulation have stretched local infrastructure that was originally meant for a population of 400k, well beyond what it was ever designed to handle, and the consequences are certainly visible to everyone.

From electricity shortages to high volumes of waste, topped with a restrained drainage system which continues to have sewage being discharged into the sea freely, regularly closing off beaches., Additionally, more rubbish continues to pile up on pavements, letting off the most unsavoury aromas one could wish for during the blistering Summer months. 

These are scenes of localities that have been left to cope, largely on their own, with no plan or vision on how to make up for the inconvenience. The same localities which have also witnessed a massive influx of private investments by multiple business owners, developers and operators who have invested millions of euros to upgrade properties, launch venues, design modern spaces and introduce great, competitive concepts designed to attract people and drive economic growth. Yet these same private investments have only been matched by a critical failure from the Government as it has completely failed to match this financial commitment with the necessary public infrastructure upgrades. While operators have modernised everything inside their property lines, the core public networks surrounding them remain severely outdated.

Part of the issue at hand stems from the fact that Malta as a tourism destination, and these localities in particular, are increasingly marketed as a partying mecca. Social media campaigns aimed squarely at young holidaymakers, often barely beyond their consenting age, promote cheap, boozy getaways. Airbnb listings routinely advertise Swieqi as being just five minutes from Paceville, as though that proximity were purely a selling point for rambunctious holidays.

What we seem to wax over is that Swieqi is a residential area, where families have chosen to raise their children, where elderly residents deserve a full night's sleep and a sense of safety in their own homes. That should not be too much to ask for.

There has been some progress, and it would be unfair not to acknowledge it. Credit is due to Jordan Galea Pace, the Deputy Mayor, for the tremendous work he has put in locally. But progress on this scale is not the same as a solution, and the gap between what has been done and what still needs doing remains wide. Residents deserve a serious, sustained response that matches the scale of the problem.

What makes this even harder to accept is hearing the Malta Tourism Authority's own chief executive suggest that the country does not suffer from over-tourism. It is worth asking, quite directly, what exactly was meant by that statement.

Anyone living in these localities, dealing daily with overcrowded streets, strained drainage systems and the noise and disruption that comes with an unregulated party scene, would struggle to recognise that description. If the people responsible for shaping tourism policy do not see the problem, it becomes very difficult to believe that a real solution is on the way.

We have heard plenty of reassurances over the years, that we are trying to attract better quality tourists, and a hundred other great ideas, but the situation has not gotten better over the years, it has gotten worse. Much worse.

What residents yearn for is results now. Proper investment in drainage and waste management infrastructure that can actually keep pace with the population these localities now carry and outright management of a situation that has gotten out of hand.

Most importantly we must tone down the message that markets Malta and these towns specifically, as a destination for cheap, disruptive nightlife.

The talking has gone on long enough, it is time to see it translated into action.

Marilena Gauci is Nationalist Party spokesperson for the film industry