Geosites and Geotourism: unlocking the potential of Malta’s Southern Region for Sustainable Tourism and Geoheritage Conservation

Despite its small size, the island of Malta exhibits a remarkable diversity of landscapes and landforms, characterized by a rich array of geological and geomorphological features. Identifying and assessing geosites play a crucial role in preserving, protecting, and promoting this geodiversity. Additionally, geosites hold significant potential for geotourism, which could contribute to the local economy. Tourism is a key driver of Malta’s economy, with its direct contribution to GDP ranking among the highest in Europe. This study explores the role of geoheritage and geotourism in fostering sustainable tourism and geoconservation, with a focus on southern Malta. Compared to the island’s northern sector, which attracts more visitors due to its sandy beaches, the southern region remains less visited. To address this, potential geosites were inventoried and quantitatively assessed using an established methodology adapted to the local context. The evaluation identified 18 potential geosites that contribute both to Malta’s natural heritage and to its tourism potential. Among these, four priority geosites were selected for integration into a proposed geotourism route, designed to showcase not only their geological significance but also the nearby cultural heritage. Furthermore, this assessment methodology, applied for the first time in this region, has proven effective for geosite identification and can be extended to other areas of Malta and Gozo.