The following result is derived from the analysis of user satisfaction based on a questionnaire conducted at the entrance of Golden Bay Beach – Malta. The responses were collected through the Engaging City Users service via QR Code by snap4city for the TOURISMO project (https://www.snap4city.org/1081). The following result is a summary produced by SnapAdvisor whcih is a Large Language Model tool based on the responses.
INDEX
Summary of Findings (June–August 2025, 36 responses received - Golden Bay, Malta)
The document compiles survey responses from Golden Bay visitors (Maltese residents, EU tourists, and non-EU tourists), who rated different aspects of the beach on a scale from -2 (very unsatisfactory) to +2 (very satisfactory).
Key Results:
Overall experience: Highly variable, ranging from -2 to +2. EU and non-EU tourists generally gave more negative ratings compared to Maltese residents.
Toilets & showers: Almost universally criticized (often rated -2), with frequent comments about poor cleanliness, lack of water, and inadequate maintenance.
Cleanliness & waste management: Repeated complaints about microplastics, cigarette butts, and washed-up litter. Some visitors also mentioned early closure of facilities and removal of sunbeds.
Safety & lifeguard services: Mixed reviews (from -2 to +2), generally more positive than toilets and showers.
Natural conditions (dunes, seawater, seagrass): Often rated negatively (dirty water, excessive seagrass), though some acknowledged the scenic value.
Overcrowding: About half of respondents said their visit was negatively affected by overcrowding. However, most visitors are not willing to pay an entrance fee to control it.
Willingness to revisit: Many Maltese said they would return despite the issues, while several foreign tourists stated they would not revisit Golden Bay.
Most Common Issues:
Poor toilet facilities.
Lack of free drinking water stations.
Litter (cigarette butts, plastics, seagrass).
Expensive facilities.
Limited space and overcrowding.
Noise from pleasure boats.
Conclusions
Structural deficiencies (toilets, showers, water stations, cleanliness) are the most recurring problems and strongly impact visitor satisfaction.
Overcrowding is a recognized issue, but there is no consensus on introducing a fee to limit it.
Residents vs. tourists: Maltese residents are more willing to return despite the problems, while international tourists express greater disappointment and lower likelihood of revisiting.
Priority improvements suggested: better toilet maintenance, stricter anti-littering measures (especially against cigarette butts and plastic), installation of free water stations, and regulation of services and boat activity to protect the natural environment.
Average Ratings (scale -2 to +2)
Overall experience: +0.67 → slightly positive but inconsistent (range -2 to +2)
Toilets: -0.83 → strongly negative, among the worst-rated aspects.
Showers: -0.31 → generally negative.
Bins distribution: -0.33 → slightly negative, with complaints about lack of bins.
Safety & lifeguard services: +0.55 → moderately positive.
Cleanliness: -0.52 → overall negative, many complaints about cigarette butts and plastics.
Natural conditions (dunes, seawater, etc.): -0.40 → negative, issues with seagrass, water quality.
Summary of Findings (September–December 2025, 20 responses received – Golden Bay, Malta)
The document compiles survey responses collected from Golden Bay visitors between September and December 2025, including Maltese residents, EU tourists, and non-EU tourists. Visitors rated different aspects of the beach on a scale from -2 (very unsatisfactory) to +2 (very satisfactory).
Key Results:
Overall experience:
Highly variable, ranging from -2 to +2, though generally neutral to slightly positive. Later-season visitors (October–November) tended to report better experiences than those visiting in September. Negative overall ratings were mostly linked to poor cleanliness and toilet conditions rather than overcrowding alone.
Toilets & showers:
Toilets remained one of the most criticized aspects, frequently rated -2 or -1, with repeated complaints about poor hygiene, lack of toilet paper, blocked facilities, and inadequate maintenance. Showers received mixed but mostly neutral ratings, occasionally reported as non-functional or poorly maintained.
Cleanliness & waste management:
Cleanliness was a major recurring concern. Visitors consistently reported cigarette butts, microplastics, and washed-up litter across all months. Despite generally positive ratings for bin distribution, litter persisted, indicating enforcement and behavioral issues rather than infrastructure alone.
Safety & lifeguard services:
Evaluations were mostly neutral to positive, though some negative feedback highlighted unsafe swimming conditions during strong winds and concerns about insufficient supervision in specific areas.
Natural conditions (dunes, seawater, seagrass):
Ratings were mixed, ranging from very negative to very positive. Common complaints included poor seawater quality, excessive seagrass, and degradation of dunes, while some visitors acknowledged the high natural and scenic value of the bay.
Overcrowding:
Overcrowding was reported mainly in September and early October. From mid-October onward, most respondents stated that overcrowding did not negatively affect their visit. Willingness to pay an entrance fee to control overcrowding remained divided, with no clear consensus.
Willingness to revisit:
Visitors with positive or neutral experiences generally expressed willingness to revisit Golden Bay. Those who experienced poor sanitation, heavy littering, or environmental decline were more likely to say they would not return or were undecided. Compared to summer, revisit intentions were slightly higher overall.
Most Common Issues:
- Poor toilet facilities
- Litter (cigarette butts, microplastics, washed-up waste)
- Poor seawater quality and excessive seagrass
- Lack of free drinking water stations
- Limited space during peak September days
- Noise from pleasure boats
- Difficult access and lack of shade at public transport stops
Conclusions
- Structural and maintenance deficiencies, particularly related to toilets, cleanliness, and environmental protection, remain the most critical factors affecting visitor satisfaction.
- Although overcrowding decreases outside peak summer, its negative consequences on infrastructure and cleanliness persist into autumn.
- Litter management—especially cigarette-related waste—continues to be the most persistent and visible problem throughout the season.
- As in summer, there is no clear consensus on introducing a fee to regulate access.
- Priority improvements suggested include:
- Improved and more frequent toilet maintenance
- Stronger enforcement against littering (especially cigarette butts and plastics)
- Installation of free drinking water stations
- Better protection of dunes and seawater quality
- Regulation of boat activity and improved safety measures during adverse conditions
Average Ratings (scale -2 to +2)
- Overall experience: +0.35 → neutral to slightly positive, highly variable
- Toilets: -0.90 → strongly negative, consistently among the worst-rated aspects
- Showers: -0.20 → mostly neutral to slightly negative
- Bins distribution: +0.65 → generally positive, though not sufficient to prevent litter
- Safety & lifeguard services: +0.30 → slightly positive but inconsistent
- Cleanliness: -0.75 → clearly negative, dominated by cigarette butts and plastics
- Natural conditions (dunes, seawater, etc.): -0.10 → overall neutral, with strong contrasts between respondents
Summary of Findings (January–May 2026, 18 responses received – Golden Bay)
The document compiles survey responses collected from visitors to Golden Bay between January and May 2026, including Maltese residents, EU tourists, and non-EU tourists. Visitors evaluated different aspects of the beach experience on a scale from -2 (very unsatisfactory) to +2 (very satisfactory).
Key Results
Overall experience
Ratings ranged widely from -2 to +2, though the overall experience was generally neutral to positive. Many visitors appreciated the natural scenery, relaxing atmosphere, and recreational opportunities at Golden Bay. Positive experiences were more frequent during spring months, while lower ratings were mostly associated with poor sanitation, environmental degradation, and overcrowding.
Toilets & facilities
Toilet facilities remained one of the most criticized aspects of the site. Several respondents reported dirty or poorly maintained toilets, lack of changing rooms, and insufficient visitor facilities overall. Complaints regarding hygiene and maintenance were frequent throughout the survey period.
Cleanliness & waste management
Cleanliness emerged as one of the main concerns. Visitors repeatedly mentioned:
- microplastic litter,
- washed-up waste,
- cigarette butts,
- poor beach cleanliness.
Although some respondents rated the site positively overall, environmental degradation significantly affected visitor satisfaction.
Safety & accessibility
Safety perceptions were generally neutral to positive. However, several respondents highlighted:
- difficult access,
- limited public transport comfort,
- lack of shaded waiting areas,
- congestion during busy periods.
- Natural conditions (sea quality, seagrass, landscape)
Opinions were mixed. Some visitors highly appreciated the scenic and natural value of Golden Bay, while others reported:
- excessive seagrass,
- poor seawater quality,
- environmental pressure linked to tourism intensity.
- Overcrowding & space availability
Overcrowding was reported mainly during spring weekends and peak sunny days. Complaints included:
- lack of space on the beach,
- congestion,
- noise from pleasure craft,
- pressure on facilities and infrastructure.
Visitors remained divided regarding willingness to pay entrance fees to regulate visitor numbers.
Willingness to revisit
Most visitors with positive or neutral experiences expressed willingness to revisit Golden Bay. Negative revisit intentions were mainly linked to poor toilet conditions, litter, overcrowding, and environmental concerns.
Most Common Issues
- Poor toilet facilities and hygiene
- Microplastic litter and washed-up waste
- Lack of free drinking water stations
- Excessive cigarette butts
- Overcrowding and lack of space
- Excessive seagrass and poor seawater quality
- Noise from pleasure boats
- Difficult access and insufficient visitor infrastructure
- Lack of environmental information regarding NATURA 2000
Conclusions
The survey findings indicate that Golden Bay continues to be appreciated for its natural beauty, recreational value, and relaxing atmosphere. However, visitor satisfaction is strongly influenced by persistent environmental and infrastructural problems.
Cleanliness and sanitation remain the most critical weaknesses affecting the visitor experience. In particular, toilet maintenance, litter management, and microplastic pollution were repeatedly identified as major concerns throughout the survey period. Environmental pressures linked to tourism activity—including overcrowding, excessive seagrass accumulation, and noise from pleasure craft—also negatively influenced perceptions of the site.
Although many visitors still expressed willingness to return, the results suggest that long-term visitor satisfaction will depend on improvements in environmental management, sanitation infrastructure, and sustainable tourism practices.
Priority improvements suggested by respondents include:
- improved toilet cleaning and maintenance,
- stronger litter prevention and enforcement measures,
- installation of free drinking water stations,
- better environmental protection and awareness,
- improved visitor facilities and changing rooms,
- management of overcrowding and boating activity.
- Average Ratings (scale -2 to +2)
- Overall experience: +0.83 → generally positive, though highly variable between respondents
- Toilets & facilities: -0.50 → clearly negative, with recurring complaints about hygiene and maintenance
- Showers / changing facilities: -0.22 → mostly neutral to slightly negative
- Accessibility & infrastructure: +1.06 → generally positive, though affected by congestion and difficult access in some cases
- Safety & visitor comfort: +0.28 → slightly positive overall
- Cleanliness: +0.39 → mixed evaluations, negatively affected by litter and cigarette waste
- Natural conditions (sea quality, seagrass, environment): +0.56 → overall positive but with notable environmental concerns raised by several visitors
