The Gozo Tourism Association has stressed the fact that the tourism sector is “very much concerned that the overdevelopment on Gozo is jeopardising and lambasting the core of these tourism values.”

This was stated in its pre-budget proposals released on Thursday which focuses on – Upholding and Supporting Distinctiveness.

The GTA insisted that tourism on the island region of Gozo is also at a “cross roads.”

It argued that “while all local policies and strategies are pointing and directing towards a distinct destination, focusing on particular niche markets based on the island’s unique selling propositions, yet the tourism sector is very much concerned that the overdevelopment on Gozo is jeopardising and lambasting the core of these tourism values.”

The Association stressed that “these overdevelopments, which are mostly for residential purposes, are harming the character of our little island on which the tourism sector has been for years marketing and promoting, as well as creating trends which are not naturally touristic.”

The GTA said it “sincerely hopes that these Budget 2024 proposals are taken on board in order to streamline, sustain and consolidate the tourism industry on Gozo.”

It explained that these proposals are the result of the continuous contact by the Gozo Tourism Association with its member operators within the tourism sector.

The Gozo Tourism Association stressed that it is “duty bound” to put forward these Budget proposals since Destination Gozo needs these special measures in order to safeguard not only the interest of the stakeholders involved, but also the wellbeing of this vital touristic sector on the island region of Gozo.

The Gozo Tourism Association Budget proposals are as follows:

Inter-island Connectivity

• Retain, improve and sustain the fast ferry service which can also assist in attracting to Gozo other niche tourists.

• Build a new fourth ferry identical to the existing ones to replace the Nikolaus.

• Commence the development of the Airfield for the fixed wing airlink between Gozo and Malta.

• Introduce an integrated ticketing system which allows persons to commute on different transport modes with a single common ticket (Fast ferry service, Gozo Channel Service and Malta Transport Service).

The Environment

• Develop new regional plan and policies specifically designed for Gozo to preserve it as an island of villages within a modern world.

• Remove all fiscal incentives on sale of buildings and land for development into apartments.

• Retain the existing incentives on sale and purchase of properties in UCA where the purchaser signs a guarantee to restore the property without subdivision.

• Extend the incentives in all vernacular and postwar properties including UCA where buyer undertakes to preserve the integrity of the property, respecting and not exceeding the surrounding traditional village heights.

• Introduce a fiscal incentive scheme to encourage the restoration and conversion of existing traditional properties and bring them back to life as residential homes, boutique hotels.

• Ensure the enforcement of Marine Protected Areas around the Gozitan coast applying the model of the Cirkewwa marine reserve

The Tourism Product

• Ringfence the ECO contribution collected from Gozitan accommodation units to be invested in product upgrading like kitting up areas for the diving community.

• Ensure and enforce the right of access to the diving sector for the shoreline on the North and North west of Gozo.

• Fast track the amendments to the Tourism Act 1999 to reflect the new trends in tourism establishments.

• Allocate enough funds to finish the Gozo Natatorium and the Gozo Museum

• Commence the rebuilding of the Marsalforn Road which incorporates part of the Victoria ring road which will eventually ease traffic flow through the capital’s core.

Marketing and Promotion of the Island

• Re-introduce the extended stays scheme and broaden it to incentivise also tour operators specialising in winter breaks and longer stays to market and sell Gozo for the October to April period.

• Assist and incentivise small touristic establishments to set up their respective website.

• Create, offer, support and entice new niches like adventure, activity, sports, walking, digital nomads and well-being.

Human Resources

• Introduce a grant scheme for local students who opt to work during the weekends or their holidays in Gozitan tourism establishments.

• Organise courses targeting foreign employees to learn the basics of the Maltese and English Language, as well the history and culture of the Maltese Islands.

• Set up a scheme to assist employers and employees to attend a comprehensive list of training courses prepared by the ITS training School covering a wide range of topics tailored made for Gozitan touristic needs.

• Develop the ITS Gozo Campus into a specialised vocational tourism institution that caters not only for Gozitans but also for Maltese and foreign students who opt to follow specific courses.

• Ensure that the Public Sector is no longer in competition with the Private Sector for the recruitment of employees by offering favourable and unmatchable working conditions.

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