6 comments so far.GTA survey shows a ‘bad’ second quarter for Gozo tourism
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The Gozo Tourism Association (GTA) has recently conducted its second survey for 2011 amongst its members, coming from the following sectors: Hotels, self catering accommodation establishments, Restaurants, Diving, transport services, tourist attractions as well as DMCs and tour agencies. Questions were related to the Gozitan tourist establishments’ performance during the second quarter of 2011 in these respective categories.
48% of respondents termed the performance of their establishment during the second quarter of the year as ‘bad’, while 30% qualified their business performance as ‘fair.’ Few establishments, representing 2% of those who replied, declared that the first quarter’s performance was ‘very good’, while the remaining 20% stated that their business was ‘good’.
When asked how the business performed during the second quarter of 2011 when compared to the second quarter of 2010, 62% of the respondents classified their business performance as less than last year’s, while 28% declared that the establishments’ performance was on the same footing of 2010. 12% declared that the going for April to June 2011 quarter, was in fact ‘ better’ than that from April to June 2010 quarter, egw GTA said.
Another issue covered by this survey was connected with the performance of domestic market within this second quarter of 2011 period. This market has become generally known as a good sustainer of the Gozitan touristim sector and is thus well welcomed by all operators. This year’s second quarter’s performance was rated as ‘bad’ by 45.7% while more than a third, 34.8%,declared their establishments’ performance as ‘fair’. The domestic market performance was classified as ‘good’ by 19.6%, while none of respondents stated that it was ‘very good.’
In this survey the Gozitan tourism establishments were also asked to rate the effect on their business by the domestic market during the second quarter of 2011, when compared to the second quarter of 2010. Almost 28.3% stated that the effect was on an ‘equal footing’, while 8.7% rated the effect of the domestic market on their performance as ‘better’ than that for 2010. On the other hand 63% termed the effect of the domestic market as less than same quarter of 2010.
When asked about the foreign market’s effect on this quarter’s performance 47.9% of participants rated the business performance as ‘bad’, while more than a third, 35.4%,declared their establishments’ performance as ‘fair.’ The foreign market performance was classified as good by 16.7 %, while none of respondents stated that it was very good.
The Gozitan tourism establishments were also asked to rate effect on their business by the foreign market during the second quarter of 2011, when compared to second quarter of 2010. Almost 23% stated that the effect was on an ‘equal footing’, while 14.6% rated the effect of the foreign market on their performance as ‘better’ than that for 2010. On the other hand 62.5% termed the effect of the foreign market as ‘less than same quarter of 2010’.
Finally the Gozo Tourism Association members were asked to assess their profitability during the second quarter. 60% of survey respondents stated that their business profitability was ‘bad’, 30% declared that it was ‘fair’, while 10% of respondents answered that it was ‘good’.
The GTA concluded by saying that “while thanking the members from all sectors of the tourism industry on Gozo for their encouraging participation in this survey, the GTA confirms its intention of holding such surveys on a quarterly basis in order to get periodical snapshots of prevailing trends within the Gozitan tourism scenario.”
Keep on building dear developers and soon the precious tourists won`t need to come here any longer.
We can`t realise that we are killing the goose that lays the golden egg.
Mario billi Ghawdex ghandna ambjent hafna iktar minn Malta !!! xorta wahda f’Ghawdex jigu hafna inqas turisti minn Malta ,u Malta kif taf int mibnija minn tarf ghal iehor. It turisti mux il bini idejjaqom imma jekk perezempju filaxija f’Ghawdex ma isibu imkien fejn jiddevertu isibu biss monotonija, x’jigu jaghmlu Ghawdex?. Biex inzidu it turizmu irridu nirreklamaw iktar lil Ghawdex barra minn Malta, u ma ingerxux investimenti li jista igib aktar turizmu f’Ghawdex.
Peter,
I agree with you that all we need is to advertise Gozo more as a unique destination.
I often speak to tourists and they all say the same thing: they love Gozo for it’s uniqueness and its people and they prefer Gozo to Malta because because Malta is way overbuilt.
What we need in Gozo is a few at the top to make the right decisions. Eco gozo concept was a good one but it looks like it is just a buzz word. Eco Gozo is not building a supermarket in the middle of a green area (ODZ) common sense is to build the supermarket in a building zone or in one of the many empty properties that are available in Gozo everywhere. No one is saying don’t bring the new supermarket but think carefully where to put it.
In regards to our economy I agree it needs boosting but apart from building every nook and cranny we can utilize what we have and create jobs for our young ones especially those that are very educated. As you know Gozo is currently having a brain drain all the brilliant minds are leaving because there is absolutely nothing for them.
If only our politicians use their common sense more than just think about their pockets and their votes.!
You wait until the tunnel for truck, cranes, buses, and cars is finished, and the uniqueness will disappear forever.
@Mario
Mario I agree with you we need more tourist, but we are not marketing it right. Gozo needs to market itself separately from Malta if it’s wants tourism. It also needs more tourist facility upgrades. Today’s facilities are not enough.
Peter,
It seems like we are on the same wave length.
In regards to tourist facility upgrades, it depends what type. If you are referring to some minor adjustments, I agree. However if you are referring to major projects like the ta’ Cenc and Hondoq projects, definitely I do not agree with them.
What we need here in Gozo to attract more tourists is by having a more dedicated group of administrators from St. Francis square who love Gozo with all their heart and who are willing to advertise Gozo as an upmarket place. Gozo has a lot of potential. We have a mixture of the olden days blended with the new and the tourists love it.
We have the beauty of the island in favour of us and also the weather and our beautiful seas help us as well. In winter it can be advertised as a walking destination.
A lot of jobs could be created in the tourist industry without ruining more land and building up everywhere.