Record number of visitors and trips on Gozo Channel and Fast Ferry – Minister

by Gozo News · January 6, 2026

Gozo ferry queue Minister for Gozo and Planning Clint Camilleri , in a statement on Tuesday, said that 258,710 passengers crossed from Malta to Gozo on Gozo Channel ferries and vice versa, between Monday, the 22nd of December, and Sunday, the 4th of January. This reflects an increase of 6.7% over the same period last year.

Gozo Highspeed, which operates the Fast Ferry service between the Grand Harbour and Mgarr, confirmed that it carried 42,331 passengers between the two ports during these same festive periods. This represents an increase of 9,529 over the same period in 2024–2025 or an increase of 29.05%, the Minister said.

A total of 301,041 passengers crossed the Gozo Channel and the Fast Ferry during the 2025–2026 Christmas festive period, from Malta to Gozo and vice versa. This represents an overall increase of 9.3% over the same period last year.

When compared to the same period in 2012–2013 the festive period between 2025–2026 recorded a record increase in passengers. The total number of passengers crossing between Malta and Gozo during the same period was 301,041, which means a record increase of 133% – more than double, over the same period in 2012–2013.

Minister Clint Camilleri welcomed these record figures which, he said, “further confirm the work being carried out by the Ministry and various other entities to make Gozo the natural choice for these particular days.”

“The numbers themselves are already a confirmation of the work we are doing and continue to fill us with more determination and enthusiasm to continue working and implementing the strategy we have for Gozo, which is for Gozo to be the island of every season,” said Camilleri.

The Minister also referred to the survey by the Gozo Tourism Association, in which 60% of tourism operators said their establishments performed better than last year, while there was a percentage of about 20% who said that it was at the same levels as last year.

Minister Camilleri stated that “we must continue to build on this success and ensure that the elements that make Gozo distinct from other destinations, those of peace, calm and full of various activities, continue to be an integral element in our future plans.”

Minister Clint Camilleri concluded by thanking everyone who chose Gozo for these festive days as well as everyone who was part of making Gozo a unique platform for another year.