The locality of Mellieha has through its sustainable initiatives succeeded in achieving the title of European Destination of Excellence. The ingredients of this success have been the involvement of the local community, the dedication and strategic vision of its very active NGOs supported by the Local Council and the locality's own assets which have been exalted without being exploited irreversibly. The overall development of initiatives within this locality, with particular reference to the Community of Manikata, assisted in producing an integrated product which has awarded itself as the best locality within the ‘European Destinations of Excellence' initiative.
Initiatives undertaken related to: - the enhancement of the natural environment and landscaping of the area so as to ensure the upkeep of its geophysical features and endemic flora; - the protection and preservation of architectural and archaeological features whilst providing new relevance to local competences in the area of agriculture, animal husbandry and the production of typical local food and popular medicine; - bring local farmers, volunteers and members of the community to cooperate on a common project for the benefit of the local community; - enable farmers in the area to return abandoned fields to agricultural use and to reap a sustainable economic return from their investment in agriculture; - enable locals and visitors to learn of the myriad of resources through direct contact with the area
MELLIEHA IS A CANDIDATE FOR HOSTING THE EDEN 2011 NETWORK MEETING Watch the video below
Mr. Robert Cutajar, Mayor of Mellieha said that through this project, the main aim was to emphasis on the rural, cultural and historical aspects of the locality. Mellieha is surrounded by vast rural areas and enriched with archaeological sites, historical heritage, heritage trails, agro-tourism and a natural park. Mr. Cutajar also added that Mellieha has fifty local organisations and societies including band clubs, sports clubs, arts and crafts clubs, and religious societies all voluntary based. The Local Council does its best to promote the locality of Mellieha to locals and tourists not only through its variety of beaches for which it has amply gained its popularity but especially through the organisation of various cultural, traditional activities throughout the year, which themes give great emphasis to the rural characteristics of the locality. This ensures that the locality of Mellieha and its surrounding communities are amply marketed for their distinctive characteristics all year round. These initiatives being organized contribute to the principle of sustainable development since they enable the enjoyment of Mellieha's rural and traditional assets for present and future generations. The rural dimension has been enhanced thanks to the utilization of local products that belong to the Maltese eno-gastronomic identity. The presentation of those products happens in a typical rural scenario such as that of the streets of the locality. Participants to the events live a wholesome and comprehensive experience of rural life and rural dimension. These initiatives ensure that the locality of Mellieha develops as a destination for all seasons and not just a summer resort. The Tourism and Sustainable Development Unit within MTA has recently submitted its proposal for the forth edition of the EDEN project which will focus on ‘Tourism and Aquatic Tourism'. The quest is for those tourist coastal, lake and riverside destinations promoting innovative approaches for their aquatic tourism offer in such a way as to develop a more qualitative environment, to cope with the seasonality issue and to rebalance the tourist flows from the most famous and crowded tourist destinations.