2 areas in Gozo (Mgarr ix-Xini and Kercem) and 5 areas in Malta (Victoria Lines, Wied Babu, Ghar Lapsi, Blue Grotto and Fomm ir-Rih) are now fully equipped with bolts.

Coordinated plan to boost rock climbing in Maltese Islands

The MTA and the Malta Rock Climbing Club have embarked upon an ambitious project to equip 7 cliffs around Malta and Gozo in order to facilitate the increasingly popular sport of Rock Climbing.

Project Initiative

Rock Climbing

Project Brief

The MTA and the Malta Rock Climbing Club have embarked upon an ambitious project to equip 7 cliffs around Malta and Gozo in order to facilitate the increasingly popular sport of Rock Climbing.

Objectives

To develop Malta’s potential as a centre of rock climbing for visiting climbers.

Background

In Europe a trend has developed over the last three decades to equip popular climbs with permanent safety anchors at intervals along a rock climbing route up a cliff. This allows the climber the peace of mind and confidence to push the limits of their ability and tackle ever more difficult ascents. Alongside this trend, a healthy market for climbers to travel and visit different climbing areas has developed and all the countries around the Mediterranean, now sport fully-equipped climbing areas, are encouraging travelling climbers to visit and spend their holidays there.

Segments Potential

Product / Market Segment Development – Potential segment visitors in increase – 5,000 to 8,000 per annum.

Project Completion / Exit Strategy

The first phase of the Bolting Project then agreed to has been completed. There are now 2 areas in Gozo (Mgarr ix-Xini and Kercem) and 5 areas in Malta (Victoria Lines, Wied Babu, Ghar Lapsi, Blue Grotto and Fomm ir-Rih) fully equipped with bolts.

Before / After Accountability

The project has now rendered Malta unique among Mediterranean destinations for the sport of rock climbing. Whereas most areas offer only one form of climbing – predominantly bolt climbing – Malta offers both bolt and traditional climbing with ample climbing routes of both types for local and visiting climbers to enjoy.

Project Breakdown Costs

First Phase - Lm6,000

PR Initiatives

A joint press launch of the MTA/MRCC Joint Bolting Project

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Tisħiħ ta’ l-isport tat-tixbit

“Hemm potenzjal li s-suq ta’ l-isport tat-tixbit jikber b’madwar 8,000 persuna fis-sena, li ma jinkludux qraba u ħbieb. Is-swieq ewlenin ta’ pajjiżna, speċjalment l-Ġermanja u Franza, huma swieq potenzjali għat-tixbit minħabba t-temp u inħawi mill-isbaħ ta’ tixbit.”

Dan ħabbru l-Ministru għat-Turiżmu u Kultura Francis Zammit Dimech meta indirizza lill-istampa f’Wied Babu, limiti taż-Żurrieq, fejn inawgura l-ewwel fażi ta’ proġett ta’ titjib għal siti ta’ tixbit.

Il-Ministru għat-Turiżmu u Kultura qal li l-isport hu waħda min-niċeċ importanti tas-settur turistiku f’pajjiżna. Hu qal li din in-niċċa tiġbor kull dixxiplina ta’ sport l-akbar waħda dik ta’ l-għadis li qed tiġi żviluppata dejjem aktar biex iżjed viżitaturi jżuru pajjiżna għaliha.

Il-Ministru Zammit Dimech qal li pajjiżna ma kellux biss postijiet storiċi u wirt storiku u kulturali mill-aqwa iżda kellu wkoll ġmiel naturali li jħabbataha ma’ dak ta’ pajjiżi ferm akbar minnha. Hu qal li l-potenzjal ta’ tixbit kien hemm u għalhekk l-Awtorità għat-Turiżmu ta’ Malta flimkien ma’ għaqdiet volontarji kienu qed jagħmlu ħilithom biex itejjbu l-faċilitajiet għal dan l-isport li jista’ jiġi pprattikat fil-widien u fl-irdumijiet ta’ pajjiżna biex hekk it-turist ikun jista’ jesplora aħjar pajjiżna.

M’hemmx dubju li biex dawn in-niċeċ ikomplu jespandu, u jattiraw aktar turisti, iridu jsiru interventi biex jitjiebu l-faċilitajiet. Ħames siti f’Malta u tnejn f’Għawdex ġew identifikati għall-ewwel fażi ta’ dan il-proġett. L-Awtorita’ għat-Turiżmu ta’ Malta għinet għal din il-fażi permezz ta’ xiri ta’ mijiet ta’ boltijiet għal tal-apposta li twaħħlu f’posthom minn voluntiera tal-Malta Rock Climbing Club,

tenna l-Ministru Zammit Dimech.

Il-Ministru għat-Turiżmu u Kultura qal li l-Awtorita’ għat-Turiżmu ta’ Malta qed tħares lejn li jiġu identifikati wkoll siti ġodda u jissebbħu dawk eżistenti.

Il-Ministru għat-Turiżmu u Kultura qal li fl-isforz li qed isir biex jitjieb il-prodott turistiku li qed joffri pajjiżna skond il-Pjan Nazzjonali tat-Turiżmu is-siti tat-tixbit kienu ingredjebt importanti li ridna nkomplu nespandu.