The Association for Catering Establishments (ACE) has questioned operational decisions adopted by Gozo Channel during the festive season. “Operational decisions which are negatively impacting on restaurant sales,” it said.

In a statement on Monday, ACE claimed that “several catering establishments in Gozo have reported a significant number of dining cancellations caused by Gozo Channel’s transportation delays on specific days including Boxing Day where traffic queues were reported from Mellieha bay all the way to Cirkewwa.”

On Boxing Day Gozo Channel had advised that due to the “bad weather conditions,” operations were being diverted to Cirkewwa South Quay and that “delays are expected.”

ACE went on to say that it also believes it is time that Gozo Channel “reconsiders its staff policy to suspend its channel crossing service during lunchtime on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.”

“Gozo Channel’s operational decisions must be reconsidered in the interest of the Gozitan business community, especially in the catering sector,” said the Association. “Such reconsiderations are also required, keeping in mind recent figures which show the constant increase in passengers during this period.”

ACE quoted a recent report published by the Gozo Tourism Association, which it said, “shows that between the 18th of December 2023, and the 8th of January 2024, Gozo Channel carried around 340,000 passengers – 104,000 more than the previous year.”

File photo: Gozo News/Alain Salvary

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