Malta’s Dark Past Shapes New Direction For Cultural Tourism

Press Release│21 November 2025

Heritage Malta and the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) are advancing their joint dark tourism strategy following the recent Dark History Weekender, which drew notable public interest in Malta’s lesser-known, darker historical narratives. The weekend’s events across Malta and Gozo confirmed the role of dark heritage in diversifying the national cultural tourism product.

A follow-up meeting was recently held at St Paul’s Catacombs in Rabat, bringing together Heritage Malta’s Chief Executive Officer, Noel Zammit, and the Malta Tourism Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Carlo Micallef. The meeting served to evaluate the success of the Weekender and discuss further collaborative initiatives aimed at expanding Malta’s touristic offering through innovative, research-based storytelling that effectively conveys our islands’ complex historical layers to a growing niche audience.

The Dark History Weekender featured a diverse programme of unique experiences tailored for this specific group, ranging from immersive sleepovers at St Paul’s Catacombs and the Old Prison in Gozo’s Citadel, to nocturnal explorations of Valletta’s underground cisterns and passageways, and dramatic retellings of some of the most haunting episodes that happened at Fort St Elmo. Many of the activities sold out in advance, reflecting a growing appetite for themed heritage events that go beyond traditional historical interpretation.

Speaking at the meeting between the two entities, Noel Zammit expressed pride in how the initiative resonated with audiences. He stated that: “The Dark History Weekender has shown that Malta’s lesser-known narratives – those tucked away in shadows, tombs, prisons, and fortifications – have immense power to captivate. Our partnership with the Malta Tourism Authority, which includes identifying niches for visitors with more specific interests such as this one, is essential in keeping the agency up with the times and a frontrunner in its sector.”

Carlo Micallef remarked that: “Integrating niche sectors such as dark tourism into our broader cultural offering allows Malta and Gozo to further appeal to travellers seeking depth and authenticity in their experience in the destination. This collaboration strengthens our long-term strategy for a richer, more resilient, diverse and year-round tourism landscape.”

This evolving, long-term strategy to bring these narratives to the forefront of Malta’s cultural tourism offer, also includes Heritage Malta’s expanding portfolio of publications, which intertwine these darker historical themes with academic rigour and narrative flair. Titles such as ‘The Dark Side of Rabat and Mdina’ and ‘The Dark Side of Birgu, Bormla and Isla’ continue to attract readers eager to discover the shadows behind some of our islands’ most iconic locations.

These books are available for purchase at Heritage Malta’s online store https://heritagemalta.mt/store/ as well as at Heritage Malta museums and sites. For further updates on upcoming dark history events and other cultural experiences, follow https://heritagemalta.mt/whats-on/ and the agency’s social media channels.