The Tourist Experience of Heritage Urban Spaces: Valletta as a Case Study

Abstract

This article provides an understanding of how tourists experience heritage urban spaces by investigating features that influence tourist experiences most. It is framed within urban design literature which refers to three elements of urban space namely physical setting (or form), activity and meaning. These elements are used to explore how urban spaces are experienced by tourists. Its findings are derived from an in-depth qualitative analysis of interviews with tourists to Valletta, Malta. The research suggests that the intrinsic qualities of the space are relevant to the tourist experience but what is even more relevant are the interactions of the tourist with different elements within that space, namely interactions with surroundings, interactions with others and interactions with self/meaning. Within this broad conceptual model, the research identifies important sub-themes. Some of these reinforce the findings of existing work on tourist experiences, but others are often underestimated or neglected.

Valletta: A Systematic Literature Review

“…35) Despite this goal, commentators have noted that throughout the ECoC event and its run up, involvement of key stakeholders and players varied, with a number of local councils complaining they were not consulted in the bidding process (Borg, 2017). Once the event was confirmed, there was initially great enthusiasm by a number of Valletta stakeholders but this turned into cause for concern around 2014/5 when the more commercial approach started to dominate (Ebejer, 2019). Here one can note that the V18 foundation was not an entity with a singular approach as while the officials were speaking the language of participation and social involvement, the chairman had a different focus mainly on the commercialization aspect of the ECoC event (Ebejer, 2019), much in line with the discourses of the government of the day (Valletta 2018 is generating positive vibes about the capital, 2017).…”

“…These changes resulted in negative impacts on the social dimension of Valletta with residents increasingly feeling left out of key decision-making processes (Zammit&Aldeiri, 2018). Despite the plethora of impacts attributed to the ECoC event Ebejer (2019) opines that claims that the ECoC event was instrumental to the regeneration of Valletta are incorrect. A number of projects occurring since 2005 including the pedestrianization of Merchants Street and Pjazza San Ġorġ; the restoration and reuse of Fort St. Elmo; the Fortifications Interactive Centre; restoration of Valletta's more important buildings and the City Gate project provided important momentum whose effect culminated throughout the ECoC years or immediately after (Ebejer, 2019).…”

Case Study 1: Overtourism in Valletta—Reality or Myth?

“…Valletta contains the island's most important attractions all within walking distance of each other. Valletta's diverse and interesting urban spaces give visitors ample scope to explore and discover, this being an essential part of the tourist experience (Ebejer 2015). The main attraction is its historic character which is ever-present in all its streets and urban spaces.…”

“…A thriving local community has tourism implications because the social and cultural life of residents add vitality to a destination and therefore make the place more attractive to tourists. When visitors see and share the life of residents, there is a sense of connectedness that enhances the visitor experience (Ebejer 2015). There are several factors that have made Valletta less liveable and this will in the long term detract from Valletta's tourism attractiveness.…”

“…As explained above, this is due to increased public investment in Valletta, motivated in part by tourism but also by the state's moral obligation of protecting its heritage. (iii) In research carried out on tourist's experience of Valletta (Ebejer 2015), there is nothing to indicate that tourists consider the tourism activity to be excessive. Some tourists expressed the desire to get away from the more touristy areas but this was due more to a wish to seek more authentic character of the place.…”