4 comments so far.Enforcement measures at Marsalforn & Xlendi can be described as anything but civil – GTA
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The Gozo Tourism Association, as the main representative body of the Gozitan Tourism establishments, has always expressed itself in favour of regulatory measures with respect to the appropriate operations of all establishments operating in the tourism industry on Gozo. Any irregular operation poses unfair competition to those who regularly pay licences and fees all year round. Moreover they are a threat to the tourism industry itself.
However, the way enforcement measures were effected in the popular resorts of Marsalforn and Xlendi on Wednesday the 9th and Thursday the 10th of July, 2008, respectively, can be described as anything but civil. Officers from the Lands Department in conjunctions with MTA officials, aided by the members of the police Corps and workmen from the Works Department raided each and every catering establishment operating on the Marsalforn Front.
This enforcement operation took practically the whole evening, from around 19.00hrs to 22.30hrs, basically dinner time. Patrons at the respective establishments were regaled with any unusual sight. Space irregularly occupied by some of the establishments was literally cleared from anything, including tables, chairs, umbrellas and their bases, flower pots and menu stands.
Apart from the inappropriate time and period chosen to carry out this enforcement operation, one must also mention the uncouth way, in which some of the works were carried out. Diners were surrounded by sparks emitted by grinding equipment used to cut steel and metal poles and rods, found to be erratic. These works also provoked an unethical exchange of words between the officers and the owners in front of all diners and passers by.
The Gozo Tourism Association acknowledges the fact that all catering establishments had been advised as from early June that enforcement would be implemented in the following weeks. The Association also reiterates its stand regarding irregular occupation of public space by any establishment. However, we feel that the way these irregularities were corrected was totally unethical, causing unnecessary havoc and projecting a totally unprofessional image of the Tourism Industry on Gozo.
Foreign and local diners alike were quite literally shocked by the unexpected scenes on an island which promotes itself as an idyllic and tranquil destination.
As an Association, we feel that the manner with which the tourism industry on Gozo has been treated for the sake of regularization on this Wednesday and Thursday starkly contrasts with that, which the Malta Tourism Authority, has been preaching to all tourism service providers on the Maltese Islands.
The Gozo Tourism Association would like to appeal to all operating tourist establishments in Gozo, to abide by their respectives licences and permits. Finally the GTA would like to recommend to the Authorities concerned to put into practice that, which we have all been preaching, for the sake of safeguarding, enhancing and promoting the much essential tourism industry on our beautiful islands.
Joe Muscat
Secretary
Gozo Tourism Association
What should we say about the 9th July in Xlendi when officers of the Lands removed some of the table and chairs from a next door bar and after wards they put them in the bar’s owner store. It was all a scam. Even the tourists in the location had the same opinion.
‘The Association also reiterates its stand regarding irregular occupation of public space by any establishment.’ If this statement is fact, how come ‘Oleanders’ in Xaghara occupies (in the summer anyway)what is quite clearly ‘public space’or does the rule only apply to certain establishments? ……somethings corrupt somewhere!
It’s the same in Victoria Frank,
The bar in St Georges Square is allowed to take over the square, especially on weekends – church-goers coming from It-Tokk have to literally walk between the tables to go to and from church.
Whilst at night the local residents suffer loud music instead of sleeping and the young drinkers use the local allies and doorways as urinals.
Other local bars are realising what good business this makes and the problem is spreading rapidly.
What do the Police, MEPA, MTA, Church, Council do about it? You guessed it – nothing……
I was interested to read this article because I was in Xlendi when this incident took place. I am a frequent visitor to Gozo and last summer had brought an additional 5 members of my family with me for the first time. They too were enchanted by Gozo.
But on that evening we went to Xlendi for a meal, wishing to sit in the open air overlooking the harbour. We found it impossible to do so as the police and other officials were forcing all of the restauranteurs to move their chairs and tables.
I understand that you have regulations and that they must be enforced, but if tourism is vital to your economy, al fresco dining is something that we northern europeans crave – it often being too cold to do that in our home countries, even at the height of summer.
So my plea to the Gozitan authorities is “Please, please reconsider your regulations and, whilst maintaining safety at all times, please continue to make Gozo the place of choice for people like me and my family. We simply love it’s relaxed and carefree ways and long to be able to enjoy them for many years to come.”