During a meeting with members of the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee, the first ever held in Gozo, the Minister for Gozo and Planning, Clint Camilleri, emphasised the importance of connectivity for the socio-economic development of Gozo.

Minister Camilleri pointed out that this Government has “worked to strengthen connectivity between the islands with the introduction of a fourth ship to join the Gozo Channel fleet. In addition, a reliable fast ferry service has also been launched between the port of Mgarr and Valletta.”

He added that work has also been carried out by the Gozo Regional Development Authority to strengthen connectivity through air transport in the coming time.

Camilleri pointed out that for the Government, “connectivity does not only mean that related to transport, but also the digital one, as another fibre optic cable has been laid so that this connectivity, which is so essential, is secure.”

When asked about the plans regarding the existing Gozo Channel fleet, the Gozo Minister said that “the procurement processes are currently underway to purchase a fourth new ship that will be more efficient and even with the possibility of operating in a hybrid mode, so that it can eventually join the rest of the fleet.”

He stressed that “tourism remains considered a main pillar for Gozo.” He went on to add that over the past few years, the Ministry for Gozo and Planning has launched various incentives to continue strengthening tourism. This also includes a cultural programme spread over the entire year.

Camilleri pointed out how this strategy is “bearing fruit as during the winter months, Gozo experienced a 44% increase in the number of tourists compared to the previous year.”

When asked about Gozo’s regional policies and how these will be complementing national priorities, Camilleri explained that since the Ministry for Gozo and Planning is part of the Central Government, policies related to Gozo are submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers directly.

Minister Camilleri concluded his intervention by emphasising the importance of connectivity between the two islands, both for Gozitans who use this service daily for work, school or health reasons, as well as in order to continue strengthening the tourism sector on the islands and attract more top-level companies and businesses to the island of Gozitan.

Photo: DOI

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