 Malta 's tourism industry faces a number of issues impacting on it now and threatening to impact on it in the future . One of the clearest issues facing Malta 's tourism industry is overcrowding as a result of the island nation 's relatively small size , in terms of both area and population . Malta is a nation of just under 450 @,@ 000 people , yet its infrastructure is required to support over 1 @.@ 1 million tourists every year . Malta 's water works , roads , waste management systems and beaches are stretched to capacity in the summer months of July and August of every year , when tourism numbers are at their peak . This is a challenge facing Maltese tourism operators as it means that they cannot simply pursue the kinds of ' mass tourism ' marketing measures taken by operators in other Mediterranean destinations with more space and resources to pursue them . In addition , Maltese tourism operators must balance increased tourism numbers with the needs of the ' native population ' , as when resources are stretched thin by tourists during the summer season , there are negative impacts on Maltese residents also . 
