You’ve probably heard of the Blue Lagoon, Comino’s most famous attraction. It’s the main draw for tourists, with boats ferrying crowds daily from Malta and Gozo to enjoy its stunning turquoise waters and scenic beach. The island became even more famous after films like The Count of Monte Cristo and Troy highlighted its natural beauty, turning it into one of the Mediterranean’s most iconic destinations. Despite its fame, Comino remains a tiny island, just 3.5 square kilometres in size and only has 2 inhabitants.
Last summer, The Times of Malta reported that more than 12,000 people visited Comino in a single point in time, a number that simply isn’t sustainable for a place this small. The island’s natural beauty and delicate ecosystems have suffered as a result, with overcrowding, waste, and rats with damaging the habitats.
The small island has been making headlines again, just days after the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) introduced a new online registration system designed to manage over tourism at its famous Blue Lagoon. The system, which requires all visitors, including locals, to pre-book their visits through a free online platform, was aimed at controlling the flow of tourists and preserving the island’s natural beauty.
Maltese and Gozitan residents should be given priority, really?
Alex Borg, the PN Gozo spokesman, criticized the move, arguing that Maltese and Gozitan residents should be given preferential treatment and not be required to pre-book to visit the Blue Lagoon. He labeled the system as “a regressive move” and expressed his shame over the expectation that even “the Maltese” would need to book in advance to access Comino. His comments were met with backlash, particularly given that the country was celebrating its 21st anniversary of EU membership on the same day. As a legal expert on EU law pointed out, “Given that Alex Borg is from the Party that fought for Malta’s EU membership, his comments are particularly ironic.” EU law prohibits discrimination between citizens, making Borg’s suggestion problematic.
The new ‘Book, Protect, Enjoy’ system, which aimed to limit visitors to no more than 4,000 at a time through three daily time slots, was seen as a step forward in managing overtourism. However, just two days after its launch, the system was suspended on May 3rd following a court decision initiated by boat operators. They raised concerns about the system’s impact on their operations, and the court upheld their request for an injunction, suspending the new booking system until the case is heard.
Bellow is the official statement available on blcomino.com
Why did the court uphold the suspension?
Over the past two months, representatives from the GTA and commercial vessel operators held consultations with the Ministry for Tourism to discuss the proposed measures for managing Comino’s Blue Lagoon. During these meetings, operators expressed concerns and provided suggestions aimed at reducing congestion in the Blue Lagoon. They recommended that visitor caps be applied only to tourists and not to local residents. However, the GTA stated that their feedback was not reflected in the final plan.
One of the key concerns raised by the operators was the fairness of the system, which allocates landing slots to certain categories of operators. This, they argued, created an unlevel playing field and could harm competition within the sector. Additionally, the operators were concerned about the rushed implementation of such a major change, noting that a transitional period was necessary to adjust logistics, inform clients, and restructure schedules. The GTA highlighted that sudden changes could lead to financial strain for operators and hurt the reputation of the destination.
This is not good news for Comino which is much more than just a beautiful spot for beach selfies. It’s rich in history and unique wildlife. The island is home to St. Mary’s Tower, built in the 1600s, making it one of Malta’s oldest landmarks. It’s also known for its rare plants and animals, like the Maltese wall lizard and vibrant wildflowers.
With the suspension of the booking system, the issue of over tourism and its impact on the environment remains unresolved. As the authorities work towards finding a sustainable solution, let’s hope that when visitor numbers are eventually limited, a small fee is also introduced to help preserve this beautiful and fragile spot for future generations. This would ensure that both the environment and local businesses are protected in the long term.
Final Thoughts
This is a major setback for Comino. I’ve been visiting the island for over a decade, taking my kids to bathe at quieter spots like Santa Maria Bay. Over time, I’ve watched the crowds increase, and unfortunately, so has the litter and rodent problem. Now, with the new measures suspended, the island is once again exposed to the same overwhelming numbers of visitors—up to 12,000 a day, like we saw last year. A small fee of 5 or even 10 euros could generate up to 120K a day, which could be used to offset financial losses for tour operators and, more importantly, contribute to the preservation of the island. The new measures, already too delayed, have now been pulled, leaving Comino vulnerable again. While the government focuses on protecting boat operators, who is protecting Comino itself? If we don’t change course, we risk losing everything that makes Comino special—its beauty and unique ecosystem. We can’t keep prioritizing short-term interests over long-term preservation. Without real action, we’ll only continue to damage this fragile place. It’s time for the government to step up and protect the environment before it’s too late.
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