Page 9 - Small_islands_2019

Island Studies Journal, 14(2), November 2019, pages 115-136

islands, MPAs have been extended through LIFE+ funded projects which identified other sites
that merit protection. Nevertheless, coastal areas adjacent to Natura 2000 sites, which also
deserve protection, have been earmarked for development. In the case of Pantelleria, various
local community members, including farmers, have objected to the extension and development
of the nature reserve into a national park. This is due to fear of restrictions, including loss of the
possibility to restore or build on abandoned agricultural terrain. Instead, the park was described
by some locals as an instrument for the economic benefit of the very few. In the case of Pantelleria,
establishment of the MPA has been delayed for over a decade due to fear of restrictions imposed
on resource users, including those practicing spearfishing and amateur fishermen.

Size dimension and the ideal ecodestinations
With respect to the aforementioned challenge of urbanisation and anthropogenic impact,
ecotourists argued that, from their experience, the islands of Gozo and especially Comino were
better suited for most ecotourism activity than was the island of Malta because they were less
urban. This resonated with recommendations by local stakeholders, who also suggested that
ecotourism revolve around smaller islands and islets found in the Maltese archipelago. Similarly,
during focus groups, ecotourists visiting the Pelagic Islands argued that the archipelago’s smaller
island (Linosa) was better for ecotourism due to its limited human impact, lower urban footprint,
and pristine state. Even in the case of the Aegadian Islands, the larger island was deemed least
ideal for ecotourism due to human impact whilst Marettimo and Levanzo were considered more
suitable as ecotourism destinations. The higher potential of smaller islands as ecodestinations was
confirmed by ecotourists’ selections of which activities they deemed most enjoyable. In most
cases, these took place on the smaller islands. Trekking along cliffs on Gozo and a one-day
excursion on Comino were the most-chosen in the case of the Maltese islands. A boat tour with
local fishermen on Marettimo, and a visit to a coastal cave on Levanzo were the most chosen
activities in the Aegadian Islands. The one-day excursion on Linosa was the most enjoyed
activity for respondents participating in the ecotour in the Pelagic Islands. By the same token
though, it was argued that the larger islands of the respective archipelagos should not be excluded
as ecotourism destination, given that they could support certain niche activities and serve as
gateway islands.

Quality of ecotourism venue and impact on satisfaction of ecotourists
83% of respondents who participated in the ecotours organised as part of the research said that
their expectations, as identified prior to the ecotour, had been fulfilled. High proportions of
satisfaction were expressed by participants of the ecotours taking place in the Pelagic Islands
(100%), the Aegadian Islands (95%), and Pantelleria (70%). In contrast, a sense of dissatisfaction
was expressed by respondents visiting the Maltese islands. In fact, 44% of respondents said that
their expectations were either partially fulfilled or unfulfilled. A quarter of respondents visiting
Pantelleria said that their expectations were not fulfilled at all. Reasons given for such
dissatisfaction included lack of time in contact with nature, discomfort when moving from one
site to another, and distance travelled. In the case of the Maltese archipelago, ecotourists further
commented that the area was more geared for mass tourism, was too urbanised, and that more
wilderness had been expected.

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