Be the first to comment!“Budget could have encompassed more measures addressing Gozo’s specific needs” – GTA
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The Gozo Tourism Association (GTA) in its reaction to Budget 2025, said that it “feels that this budget could have encompassed more measures addressing Gozo’s specific needs.”
The Association, in a statement on Tuesday, pointed out that “albeit the budget speech includes comments regarding the continued endeavours to address the island of Gozo’s double insularity as well as the commitment towards ensuring its better connectivity, there is no mention of any plans regarding the acquisition of a fourth new ferry, the replacement of the existing Gozo Channel fleet or any infrastructural developments for Mgarr harbour.”
The Association welcomed the measures announced in favour of investment for the restoration of heritage sites, together with financial assistance to sustain the continued enhancement of the Gozo carnival, as well as the continuation of the new Gozo museum.
It stressed that “the country’s emphasis should be that of moving towards better quality rather than an increase in quantity.”
The GTA pointed out that this also relates to tourism, “where the Budget speech aims to attain an increase in the per capita expenditure of the tourists who visit our islands more than a larger volume of visitors we attract.”
“Quality over quantity is also valid for the sister island,” said the GTA. “Gozo is endowed with unique characteristics which we need to uphold and preserve since that is an effective way to safeguard its value and sustainability enabling us to offer a touristic product that attracts quality tourism.”
The GTA stated that it feels that this Budget is “addressing the country’s social aspect through various measures including tax reductions, subsidies on energy, fuels and cereals prices, increases on the different categories of social benefits, the issues related to excessive traffic as well as immigration.”
Moreover, it concluded, “this budget also aims to project an economic vision for the coming years. It proposes that the country’s economic objective should not only be that of generating growth but should also focus on providing society with a better quality of life.”
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