Goals of sustainability 4 –Supporting sustainable economic growth, both through gastronomy and the informative free tours

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes a total of seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to guide the role of the public and different sectors to achieve sustainable global development.

Goal 8 of the SDG deals with the aim to “Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”. The Cliffs Interpretation Centre seeks to sustain economic growth with diversification, whilst promoting the idea of innovation. Its daily operations favour sustainable tourism to promote local culture and local produce, whilst empowering local employment to benefit the economy.

The use of local products in the gastronomic endeavours of The Centre, continue to make a viable contribution to the socio-economic value of the Maltese Islands. The Centre empowers local employment both directly and indirectly. Apart from the staff that work at the Centre, the majority of which have links to the village of Dingli, the Centre favours vitality and viability of local food producers, benefitting the local economy. An example is the daily purchasing of bread from the local bakery, and perishable items from local grocery stores.

The Centre promotes a form of tourism that is sustainable, especially during the shoulder months, by blending the environment with tourism and offering services to visitors arriving at Dingli Cliffs. This is especially done in the free guided tours. Positive socio-economic returns of this venture include the creation of new environmentally-friendly jobs, cooperation and collaboration between stakeholders and landusers, etc… The updated tours, which are now offered on a ‘pay-what-it’s-worth’ basis, provide an enjoyable and informative experience of Dingli Cliffs with the authentic input of local personnel.

Now, during the summer, the tours are ideal to watch the sunset – in, fact they run on Thursdays at 18:30 starting with an audiovisual presentation in The Cliffs Interpretation Centre’s lecture room, followed by an accompanied walk along Dingli Cliffs and the surroundings to discover important areas of historical and archaeological value. Tours are subject to booking, and hence it’s very important to book in advance by calling on 79642380, filling in the online form at website or send an email to discoverdinglicliffs@gmail.com