Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/855205
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 30 JULY 2017 10 MaltaToday Survey JAMES DEBONO 55% of the Maltese public would like to see fewer lidos and beach concessions where sun beds are being laid out on the beach from early morning, taking up public space for visitors who do not want to pay for a sunbed. In MaltaToday's latest survey, just 6% said they would like to see more areas on the beach allocat- ed for sun beds while 34% favour the status quo. Moreover, 71% are opposed to the setting up of wooden decks on rocky beaches, that would make these areas more accessible. But the survey also shows that a large number of Maltese are al- ready paying for beach furniture when they go to the beach. Overall, 29% said they hire a sun bed and umbrella when at the beach. Among under-35 year olds the percentage of sun bed users rises to a high 37%. Hiring sun beds is also popular with families with younger kids. In fact 39% of this category also hire sun beds. The MaltaToday beach survey confirms that Ghadira beach in Mellieha remains the most popu- lar beach, followed by Armier and Pretty Bay in Birzebbugia. Other popular beaches are Ghar Lapsi, Gnejna and San Tumas. 5% said they regularly go to a private lido or hotel rather than to a public beach. The survey also throws a light on the habits of Maltese bathers. 70% said they do not read anything while at the beach and 46% go to swim more than once a week. Only 4% said they do not know how to swim and, interestingly, the absolute majority (72%) said they do not sunbathe to get a tan. Despite the overcrowding of sandy beaches and the enduring popularity of Ghadira, only 28% prefer swimming in sandy beach- es while 28% prefer the sand and a remarkable 15% prefer swimming by the pool. The survey shows that a relative majority of under-35 year olds agree with allowing nude bathing on at least one beach in Malta. But overall 51% are opposed to this idea. Beach fun: No longer a free good? The idea that going to the beach is a free good no longer reflects the reality of 39% of respondents who spend more than €15 for each family member at the beach. In contrast 36% still take everything they need with them to the beach and avoid spending anything. Moreover the idea that beach fun comes for free is disappearing among the younger generations. Only 10% of under-35 year olds spend nothing at the beach while a remarkable 61% spend more than €15 for each family member. In contrast the survey shows the older generations as being more thrifty – with the percentage of those who spend nothing while at the beach rising to 43% among 35- to 54-year olds and 53% among over-55 year olds. Interestingly 35- to 54-year olds are also the most likely to reduce their expenses by taking their own umbrella and deckchairs to the beach. Among this category 41% use their own beach furniture in contrast to only 22% of under-35 year olds. On the other hand un- der-35 year olds are more likely to hire a sun bed (37%) or just to take a towel with them (41%). Books alien to Maltese beach culture Under-35 year olds are the less likely to read while relaxing at the beach. Only 12% of under-35 year olds read a book and 78% read ab- solutely nothing. Overall 18% read a book while relaxing at the beach, 7% read a magazine and 4% read a newspa- per. 35- to 54-year olds are the most likely to read a book (29%) while over-55 year olds are most likely to read a newspaper (7%). The results tally with those of an NSO survey, which has recently shown that 55% of the population have not even read one book in the past year. Majority against nude bathing The survey shows an age divide in attitudes towards nude bathing. While a relative majority (49%) of under-35 year olds agree that nude bathing should be allowed at one beach at least in Malta, agree- ment with this proposal drops to 40% among 35- to 54-year olds and to 31% among over-55 year olds. Overall a majority of 51% are against having at least one beach where nude bathing would be al- lowed. Younger respondents and fe- males are also more likely to sun- bathe to get a tan. The percent- age of those who languish in the sun to get a tan drops from 47% Any room to sunbathe? 29% hire a sun bed but 55% want fewer of them MaltaToday beach survey Which beach do you frequent most % Ghadira 16.2 Armier 7.6 Pretty Bay 7 Ghar Lapsi 5.7 Gnejna 4.8 M'scala/Zonqor 5.4 San Tumas 4.8 Ghajn Tuffieha 3.5 Tigne 3.5 Bahar ic-caghaq 3.5 Sliema 3.5 M'xlokk/Delimara 3.2 Pembroke 2.9 Ramla Gozo 2.5 Lido 2.5 Hotel 2.5 St Paul's Bay 2.5 Qawra 2.2 St George's Bay 1.9 Other 14.3 How much do you spend per person on a typical beach day? (%) 18-34 35-54 55+ All Nothing 10.2 42.9 53 36.3 5 euros or less 2 0 4.6 1.6 6 euros to 10 euros 8.2 14.3 9.8 10.7 11 euros to 15 euros 18.4 11.7 6.7 12.1 15 euros to 20 euros 36.7 9.1 7.3 17.5 More than 20 euros 24.5 22 18.6 21.8 Room for just one more sunbather