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 obtained from June to August 2025
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
