Help shape the future of rural tourism in the Maltese Islands

Since summer 2025, SEED, in collaboration with the Malta Tourism Authority, has been leading the development of a practical guide for rural tourism stakeholders in the Maltese islands. This initiative aims to support a more sustainable, culturally respectful, and economically beneficial approach to rural tourism across Malta and Gozo.

Over the past months, we have been engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, from academics to farmers. These conversations have helped us better understand the realities on the ground: the opportunities, the challenges, and the aspirations for rural tourism.

Now, we are opening the process to a wider audience.

To ensure that this Guide is not just theoretical, but truly grounded in lived experience and practical needs, we are inviting the public to contribute directly to the research. Your insights will play a key role in shaping recommendations, tools, and best practices that reflect the reality of rural areas in Malta.

We have designed a set of short questionnaires tailored to different perspectives:

• Project leaders and aspiring rural tourism operators → to understand current initiatives, challenges, and future potential 

• Residents → to capture local perceptions, concerns, and ideas

• Visitors and tourists → to explore expectations, experiences, and barriers to engaging with rural tourism

Whether you are actively involved in rural tourism or simply experience it as part of your daily life or travels, your voice matters. This is an opportunity to contribute to a shared vision: one that balances economic opportunities with the protection of landscapes, traditions, and community life.

If you would like to go further and share your experience in more depth, you are also welcome to reach out to us directly. We would be happy to continue the conversation and hear your perspective.

The Guide aims to become a practical tool for stakeholders across the islands, offering clear guidance, real-life insights, and actionable recommendations, more information on the dedicated page here. Your contribution will help ensure it reflects the diversity of experiences and needs across Malta and Gozo.

👉 Take part in the questionnaires:

Residents’ survey

Tourists’ survey

Potential or active rural tourism provider’s survey

Together, we can help shape a model of rural tourism that works for communities, visitors, and the environment alike.

Contacts : 

Samwel Grima : samwel@seedprojects.eu

Océane Droulin : oceane@seedprojects.eu