Illegal kiosks return to Comino despite protection laws

Despite Comino’s status as a designated Natura 2000 site—part of the EU's network of protected natural areas—illegal kiosks will once again be allowed to operate on the island in the summer of 2025. This development continues a long-standing saga of environmental degradation, political favouritism, and institutional failure, raising serious concerns about Malta’s commitment to upholding environmental protections and the rule of law.

Years of environmental warnings ignored

Comino, one of Malta’s smallest islands and home to the famous Blue Lagoon, has long suffered from unchecked tourism and unsustainable commercial activity. The mobile food and beverage kiosks, which began operating without proper authorisation in 2015, are a primary example. They are located in one of the country’s most sensitive ecological zones, known for its fragile flora and fauna, yet no meaningful enforcement has ever taken place.

Rather than curbing this illegal activity, successive governments have turned a blind eye—or worse, actively facilitated these operations by providing public resources and political cover.

Tourism Minister defends status quo

Tourism Minister Ian Borg, who recently took over responsibility for tourism, confirmed that the unregulated situation will persist through the 2025 summer season. Speaking to The Shift, Borg stated that his ministry had not had enough time to reform the system before summer.

“We did not have enough time to change the situation this year. When I took over this responsibility, it was already too late to conduct a proper tendering process,” he explained.

He promised that changes would be made by 2026, including a competitive public tendering system and new regulations designed to reduce environmental damage. The Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) is said to be exploring plans to cap the number of kiosks permitted on Comino, while also proposing a standardized design for future setups that aligns with environmental sustainability guidelines.

Political ties and broken promises

The issue of illegal kiosks on Comino is not just about bureaucratic delays or planning oversights—it is deeply intertwined with political connections and conflicts of interest. Borg’s predecessor, Clayton Bartolo, held the tourism portfolio for three years and repeatedly pledged reform. Yet, he took no concrete action to remove or regulate the kiosks.

Bartolo's inaction has raised eyebrows due to his family’s vested interests on the island. His father and uncles own water sports and ferry businesses that ferry thousands of tourists to Comino each summer, benefiting from the very commercial activity that remains unchecked.

According to parliamentary answers given by Nationalist MP Rebekah Borg, the number of unlicensed kiosks has doubled since 2015, and none have ever undergone a public tendering process or obtained the necessary permits from the Planning Authority.

Infrastructure upgrades support illegal activity

Despite the lack of legal authorisation, the state has gone out of its way to support these operators. The Ministry for Gozo, under Labour leadership, spent thousands of euros to upgrade road access to the kiosks. More controversially, they installed utilities—including electricity and water—by digging trenches through protected terrain.

These works were only halted after the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) intervened. The works were overseen by architect William Lewis, who also serves as the Labour Party’s Organising Secretary, further complicating the narrative of political impartiality.

Financial gains at a public cost

Documents obtained by The Shift through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests show that nine of the eleven kiosks on Comino have been granted encroachment permits at a heavily subsidised rate of just €10,000 for the entire summer season. These businesses, according to conservative MTA estimates, generate over €100,000 in monthly revenue during peak tourist periods.

The payment structure is staggered: kiosk owners pay €5,000 by April and the remaining €5,000 by the end of August. This pricing model offers little benefit to the public purse while allowing private operators—often linked to political figures—to reap considerable profits with minimal oversight.

Environmental degradation continues

The environmental impact of this commercial activity is becoming more pronounced with each passing summer. Comino receives an estimated 10,000 visitors daily during peak season, an unsustainable load for such a small and ecologically sensitive island.

A recent tourist trend—serving cocktails in hollowed-out pineapples—has exacerbated the waste problem. Rotting fruit left behind has attracted rats and littered the beaches, degrading the visitor experience and further damaging the environment.

In response, the MTA introduced an €8,000 environmental fee in 2024. However, there has been no enforcement. Kiosk owners who refused to pay the fee faced no penalties, highlighting once again the toothless nature of Malta’s environmental governance.

A broken promise of visitor limits

Minister Borg has proposed reducing the number of daily visitors to Comino from 10,000 to 5,000, a move widely seen as essential to preserving the island’s ecosystem. However, no concrete steps have been announced, and no timeline has been offered.

The proposal lacks enforcement mechanisms, and with summer approaching, it seems unlikely that any meaningful restrictions will be in place before thousands once again flood the island’s shores.

Malta’s international obligations at stake

Comino’s status as part of the Natura 2000 network carries legal weight and is far more than just a symbolic title. It imposes binding obligations on Malta under European Union law. Continued failure to enforce environmental regulations could lead to legal action from the European Commission for breaching EU directives.

In fact, Malta has already faced EU infringement procedures over its environmental policies in the past, particularly regarding illegal hunting and planning irregularities. The situation on Comino risks attracting further scrutiny and potential penalties.

What the future might hold

While Minister Borg’s commitment to reform by 2026 may offer a glimmer of hope, there is widespread scepticism given the government’s track record. Promises have been made before, and public trust has eroded as each summer brings renewed evidence of inaction.

Civil society organisations and environmental NGOs have repeatedly called for the permanent removal of unlicensed kiosks and stricter regulations governing commercial activity on Comino. However, without political will and independent enforcement, their voices remain sidelined.

Conclusion: Comino at a crossroads

As the summer of 2025 draws near, Comino stands at a crucial juncture. Authorities face a clear choice: protect one of Malta’s last remaining natural treasures or continue enabling its degradation for short-term gain.

Despite official recognition of the island’s ecological importance, the persistent failure to enforce basic planning and environmental laws sends a troubling message about the state’s priorities.

If reform is truly on the agenda, it must be accompanied by transparent tendering, meaningful enforcement, and a genuine commitment to sustainable tourism. Anything less will not only fail Comino but compromise Malta’s credibility on environmental stewardship.

FAQs

What is Comino and why is it protected?
Comino is a small island in Malta, designated as a Natura 2000 site due to its ecological importance. It hosts sensitive habitats and rare species.

Why are the kiosks on Comino considered illegal?
The kiosks operate without Planning Authority permits or public tendering processes, making them illegal under Maltese and EU regulations.

Who benefits from these illegal kiosks?
Most of the kiosks are owned by politically connected operators, particularly from Gozo, who profit from tourism without proper oversight or regulation.

What is the government doing about the situation?
Tourism Minister Ian Borg has said no changes will be made in 2025 due to time constraints but promised reform by summer 2026.

What environmental damage is being caused?
Overcrowding and waste, particularly from new food trends like serving drinks in pineapples, have led to rat infestations and litter problems.

What role does the Malta Tourism Authority play?
The MTA has provided subsidised permits and proposed environmental fees, but enforcement remains weak or nonexistent.

Has the EU taken action against Malta for this?
Not yet, but the situation risks breaching EU environmental directives, potentially triggering infringement proceedings in the future.

How much money do the kiosks make?
Each kiosk can earn over €100,000 per month during peak season, yet only pays €10,000 for the entire summer.

Is visitor access to Comino going to be limited?
The government has announced plans to reduce visitor numbers, but no implementation details or timelines have been released.

What can be done to protect Comino?
Civil society groups are calling for the removal of unlicensed kiosks, enforcement of environmental laws, and a sustainable tourism model.