1 comment.Budget: Gozo Shadow Minister stands with Gozitan stakeholders over concerns on tourism measures
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The Shadow Minister for Gozo, Frank Anthony Tabone, said that he ”stands with Gozitan stakeholders and understands their concerns about the tourism measures announced in the Budget, which will particularly affect Gozo.”
The Gozo Shadow Minister said that ”the increase in the eco-contribution, together with higher Gozo Channel and fast ferry fares for tourists, means that it will cost more to visit Gozo and spend one or more nights on our island.”
He insisted that ”it is precisely those who stay in Gozo for at least one night who make an important contribution to the local economy: they use accommodation, eat at restaurants and spend money in Gozitan businesses.”
Tabone argued that ”if these increases discourage them from staying overnight, it will be Gozitan businesses, workers and families who feel the impact.”
The Shadow Minister questioned ”what studies the Government carried out before announcing these measures to understand their impact on tourism and the Gozitan economy?”
Frank Anthony Tabone concluded by asking ”how can we strengthen tourism in Gozo if we are making it more difficult for those who choose to stay and spend money on our island?”
File photo: Gozo News/Alain Salvary
Citizens want better pay – conditions & increases in Pensions, etc, etc. Monies have to come from somewhere. If visitors can afford a holiday & visit Gozo for a holiday & pay a small increase in fares, what is wrong with a small increase? Surely this will not affect any person for crossing to Gozo for a visit or stay. Why make everything so difficult when there is no problem for locals. Monies distributed to citizens have to come from somewhere. No locals were or will be effected by these measures, so what’s the problem.