Published on
October 1, 2025
Malta has made a defining move in global tourism governance by becoming the 29th country worldwide and the 6th in Europe to adhere to the International Code for the Protection of Tourists (ICPT). This commitment marks a significant milestone in expanding international adherence to frameworks that safeguard the rights of travellers while reinforcing principles of consumer protection in tourism.
The signing of this historic commitment took place on September 18, 2025, during the first I Tourism Law Conference in Europe, hosted in Malta. The event was noted as a landmark for Europe, being the first continental conference primarily dedicated to exploring the growing significance of legal frameworks in tourism.
Malta’s Vision for Responsible Tourism
In his address to the participants, Dr Ian Borg, Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, emphasized the importance of tourism law as a policy tool and noted that it often does not receive the attention it deserves in international tourism discourse. His remarks reflected Malta’s conviction that adherence to the ICPT is not just about compliance but about ensuring legal security for tourists and reinforcing Malta’s increasing engagement with broader UN Tourism initiatives.
This step positions Malta as a leader among European destinations committed to transparent, ethical, and sustainable tourism governance. The country’s decision is symbolic of its evolving role in global tourism law, backed by international recognition of the need to create safe and resilient destinations.
The Role of UN Tourism in Supporting Global Standards
The event also hosted powerful interventions from UN Tourism, the global institution spearheading initiatives to regulate and harmonise tourism law worldwide. Alicia Gomez, Director of Legal Affairs and International Standards at UN Tourism, highlighted the landmark significance of Malta’s commitment. She underlined that the challenges being faced by the modern tourism sector, such as overtourism and the rapid growth of digital platforms, demand urgent regulatory responses.
She further emphasized that creating frameworks is more than a technical or bureaucratic exercise. Legal systems in tourism are designed to protect communities, support environmental balance, and defend consumer rights, while ensuring that tourism continues to drive sustainable development. The statement highlighted the philosophy that has been guiding global tourism regulation over the past decade and reflected UN Tourism’s mission to align legal systems with the evolving realities of the sector.
The I Tourism Law Conference in Europe
The I Tourism Law Conference in Europe, hosted by the University of Malta, with the support of the Malta Tourism Authority and in collaboration with UN Tourism, brought together policymakers, legal professionals, and academics from across Europe and beyond. The conference served as both a thought-leadership platform and a practical forum to discuss gaps and opportunities in global tourism law.
Discussions revolved around four core pillars considered urgent for regulatory attention:
- Sustainability in tourism development
- Addressing overtourism and its societal and environmental impacts
- Regulation of short-term rentals in the digital economy
- Strengthened consumer protection in tourism services
This structured dialogue gave delegates an opportunity to share insights on best practices and innovative models, while emphasising the importance of legislating proactively rather than reacting to challenges after they escalate.
Shared European Perspectives
Delegates from Malta, Croatia, and Andorra took the lead in presenting legislative experiences from their respective countries. These insights included approaches to implementing consumer rights in tourism, regulating private and digital accommodation markets, and building sustainable frameworks that balance economic opportunity with environmental stewardship.
These contributions allowed for the sharing of practical models, which may serve as blueprints to improve other European frameworks. The emphasis was placed heavily on harmonisation that allows the continent to function with interlinked and cohesive regulations that strengthen tourism practices across borders.
Strengthening International Cooperation
One of the conference milestones was the signing of memoranda of understanding between UN Tourism and the International Forum of Travel and Tourism Advocates (IFTTA). This agreement renewed and formalised long-term cooperation aimed at reinforcing sustainable, responsible, and ethically governed global tourism.
These partnerships demonstrated that the pursuit of sustainable tourism development is a multi-stakeholder responsibility, requiring coordination between governments, academia, non-government organisations, and private sector advocates.
Hospitality and Diplomacy through Malta
Participants praised the commitment of the University of Malta and the Malta Tourism Authority in creating a platform where legal discussions translated into pragmatic outcomes. The conference not only showcased Malta’s capacity to host high-level international discussions but also reinforced the country’s role as a convener of global debates in emerging disciplines within the tourism ecosystem.
Hospitality was not just experienced at a cultural level but also demonstrated in the way Malta positioned the dialogue: as inclusive, forward-looking, and adaptable to the legal needs of a fast-changing global tourism landscape.
Building a Legal Framework for the Future
The discussions confirmed that tourism law is not confined to narrow definitions of contracts and regulations. Instead, it is increasingly being recognised as central to sustainability, innovation, and accountability in tourism. From addressing overtourism pressures that undermine the quality of life in destinations, to confronting the growing digitalisation of tourism business models, the conference reinforced a proactive agenda for future policymaking.
By joining the ICPT, Malta and its peers demonstrated their intention to not only implement high standards at a national level but also to foster global alignment in policies that will ensure tourism remains inclusive, resilient, and beneficial to destination communities.
A Shared Commitment to Tourists’ Rights
The conference ultimately reinforced that consumer protection in tourism is a cornerstone of sustainable travel. The rights of travellers extend beyond safety, covering transparency in systems, fairness in contracts, redress in disputes, and confidence in the legal support structures while travelling. When such rights are recognised internationally, they contribute not only to better experiences for tourists but also to sustainable long-term growth for destinations.
This focus positions tourism law as a strategic tool for balancing business interests with responsibilities to both tourists and host communities. The conversations in Malta highlighted how building stronger legal safety nets strengthens confidence, allowing tourism to thrive as a global driver of social and economic development.
