New booking system introduced to curb Comino Island's visitor surge
Comino Island, renowned for the Blue Lagoon, enchants all who set eyes on it, even just once. However, this European paradise is grappling with excessive tourism. The Maltese authorities, eager to preserve its unique ecosystem, have taken action and introduced a new solution. As they acknowledge, this is not a ban or restriction of access—it's a necessity.
Comino Island, often referred to as the Maltese jewel of the Mediterranean, draws tourists from across the globe, thanks to its Blue Lagoon. Unfortunately, during the peak holiday season in summer, Comino becomes a place that Colin Backhouse, the founder of Malta Holiday Experiences, described last month as "hell on Earth" due to the tourist crowds. This information quickly dominated the media. However, the island's authorities have not ignored the problem.
Changes in Malta
The Maltese government has announced the introduction of a new booking system for visits to protect the Blue Lagoon's environment. These changes will take effect starting from the 1st of May this year.
Last summer, during peak hours, there were up to 12,000 people in the Blue Lagoon area simultaneously. With such numbers, relaxation, safety, and respect for nature become challenging. The new booking system will significantly reduce this number to a maximum of 4,000 people at any one time. The necessity of introducing these restrictions was recognised not only by the affected residents of Malta but also by conscientious tourists.
The new booking system
From the 1st of May, everyone arriving on Comino Island by private or commercial boat must register in advance for free via the website: bluelagooncomino.mt. There will be three time slots available: 8:00 AM - 1:30 PM, 1:31 PM - 5:31 PM, and 5:31 PM - 10:00 PM (Greenwich Time).
After booking, the system will generate a unique QR code that tourists must display when entering, whether from the sea or land. On arrival, guests will receive special wristbands allowing them to stay in the area during their reserved time slot. Failure to make a reservation may result in a fine. A transitional period is planned to help tourists adjust to the new system. During this time, staff will provide guidance to those unfamiliar with the booking procedure.
Additionally, this coming summer, there will be further measures to protect the local environment. These include expanding and securing swimming zones and improving sanitary facilities. The changes form part of the "Team Blue Lagoon" project, which involves several organisations, including the Maltese Tourism Organisation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, the Ministry for Gozo and Planning, Transport Malta, the Environment and Resources Authority, the Police, LESA, and the Civil Protection Service.
