Comino visitor cap could be revisited, tourism minister says

The 4,000-person cap on visitors to Comino could be revised if the need arises, Tourism Minister Jo Etienne Abela told parliament on Monday.

“It is not something that can’t be revised,” Abela said, replying to a parliamentary question by PL MP Ramona Attard. “If there is a need for this capping to be revised – whether lowered, increased or adjusted – we have no problem doing this as a government.”

However, the recently appointed minister acknowledged that his predecessor Ian Borg had already launched a strategy for Comino. Abela said he intends on sticking with the strategy.

“That doesn’t mean 4,000 is a magic number that must be kept,” he said.

Under the current system, launched in the summer of 2025, anyone visiting Comino must apply for a free slot in one of the three daily periods: morning, afteroon or evening. Each slot is capped at 4,000 people.

Visitors are identified through colour-coded wristbands corresponding to their booked slot. Those who wish to stay beyond their slot must apply for the second slot and change their wristband accordingly, allowing enforecement officers on the island to verify compliance.

Visitors to Blue Lagoon are given wristbands according to their booked slots. File photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Abela said Comino has been “an unregulated place” for decades despite being a major attraction for tourists and locals alike.

The visitor cap, he said, was the result of extensive discussions with stakeholders over the past years.

Answering a separate question by PN MP Ivan Castillo, Abela said Malta now welcomes more than four million tourists a year. Since visitor numbers are no longer a concern, the government’s focus is shifting to quality.

He noted that, since acquiring independence, Malta has deliberately worked to grow tourist numbers. “Now that we have this abundance of tourists, we are no longer beggars. It is time to consider, push and implement quality,” he said.

Last week, Momentum suggested that no more than 2,000 people should visit Comino at any given time.