The Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, has introduced, through a presentation, a new publication ‘DiveInside Gozo.’ This book incorporates information and photos of what the island of Gozo has to offer divers as well as tourists.

The book was printed as a result of visits by various groups of professional divers who described their experiences in Gozo during when they spent time in Gozo between May and October of 2011. This initiative was coordinated by the Directorate for Tourism and Economic Development within the Ministry for Gozo as part of the work programme associated with the first Action Plan for eco-Gozo 2010-2012.

The Minister explained how the personal experiences of foreign divers were merged with other information on services and attractions that can be found, as well as information on diving schools operating in Gozo. “The publication will serve as a detailed guidebook for those divers who are already in Gozo while it will also be instrumental in the promotion of Gozo as a distinct destination that offers unique attractions in this area.”

DiveInside Gozo has 200-pages of photographs giving ideas of dive sites around the coast of the island. It is printed in both English and German.

In 2011, 18,000 spent diving holidays in Gozo and Comino. Making almost 25% of tourists who visited Malta a diving holiday. “The indications are that this year positive results will also be seen in this niche area due to the collective commitment made to the field of diving in Gozo. Other initiatives are being considered aimed at reducing the effects of seasonality, as the diving season is only between May and November,” the Minister said.

“Many projects have been undertaken to further strengthen the tourism sector in Gozo, including the establishment of Hyperbaric Unit at the Gozo General Hospital in Gozo, which makes Gozo a destination that offers more safety when it comes to learning or practicing this sport, the Minister said.

“Online promotions, radio advertising in the United Kingdom, the publication of a supplement in the 24 page magazine Unterwasser, participation in tourism fairs and the French-language publication île de Gozo – Faites une pause PLONGEE en Méditerranée will now be translated into five other languages.” The Minister said. “These are all promotions initiated by the Ministry for Gozo in 2011 to promote Gozo as a tourist destination.”

The Minister praised the support of the Malta Tourism Authority with these projects and the collaboration of the Gozo Tourism Association together with the operators in the field.

“Besides the ongoing works of maintenance, cleaning and other services in the dive sites around Gozo, the Ministry for Gozo is coordinating work to develop 10 short films covering various various attractions for diving in Gozo. These will be included on websites set up as a means of publicity. There will also be a special space dedicated to the field of diving on the new website www.visitgozo.com expected to be officially launched early next year,” the Minister concluded.

Permalink: Publication launched for divers in Gozo – ‘DiveInside Gozo’