Be the first to comment!New stone facade policy is “breath of fresh air in Gozo’s development frenzy” – GTA
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The Gozo Tourism Association has welcomed the announced policy decision by the Minister for Gozo and Planning, Clint Camilleri, whereby new buildings in Gozo require facades be built from Maltese stone, according to a policy that will come into force shortly.
The Association said, “this decision is a breath of fresh air in the development frenzy taking place presently on Gozo.”
The GTA is the second voice to back the news, together with the Malta Development Association, which yesterday also welcomed the planning policy decision
The Gozo Tourism Association in a statement on Monday, said “this policy decision is in line with the Association’s views on development on Gozo.”
Over the past years the Association said it has advocated that development in Gozo “should be in line and respects the characteristics and the urban fabric of the Island.”
The GTA highlighted that “it is through these attributes that Gozo has positioned and established itself as a distinct tourism destination within the Maltese archipelago and elsewhere.”
The farmhouse concept developed years ago, as well as the recent development of several boutique hotels all built restored and renovated in local stone, “were the catalysts for a niche type of accommodation synonymous with the island of Gozo,” it said.
The Gozo Tourism Association insisted that it has “always been in favour of development that respects the character of the existing buildings and environment and that enhances Gozo as a unique tourist destination.”
The GTA pointed out that this policy decision is also in line with the Gozo Regional Development Authority recently launched development strategy for Gozo, rightly themed ‘Gozo an Island of Villages,’ whereby it clearly states that “Gozo has distinctive characteristics, both physical, as well as social, that form part of Gozo’s heritage and identity.”
The Gozo Tourism Association concluded by saying that it “hopes that this new direction will be one of the building blocks on which future development on Gozo will continue to drive the economy forward in a different sustainable and enduring way.”
File photo
