The Gozo Tourism Association said today that it believes that the measure to increase by another €1,500,000 the Malta Tourism Authority financial allocation extending it to €38,500,000 together with the €15,000,000 allocated for the restructuring process of Air Malta and additional new air routes are positive measures towards an important industry like tourism.

“The fact that Gozo is a distinct destination is once again being acknowledged in this budget by the allocation for the forth consecutive year of the sum of €500,000 to the Directorate of Tourism and Economic Development, within the Ministry for Gozo, for the promotion of Gozo as a distinct tourist destination,” the GTA said.

The Association added, “this budget is also acknowledging several proposals put forward by the Gozo Tourism Association, including, the opening of a branch of the National Statistics office on Gozo and the study on the extension of the existing airstrip on Gozo. Furthermore the sum of €200,000 is being allocated for schemes intended to promote Gozo with the domestic Market.”

“Other measures in this budget include the sum voted for the Cinema Digitalization Scheme which will help these existing establishments on Gozo to upgrade their facilities to enhance the tourism product on the island. The GTA welcomes also the sum of €2,000,000 being voted for the renewal of the Employment Aid Programme in Gozo. Furthermore GTA believes that the Gozitan tourism product will benefit from the 8% increase of the Ministry for Gozo allocation.”

Concluding, the GTA said, “although several other proposals relating to the Gozitan tourism, put forward by the Association, were not included in this budget, the GTA notes that this is a realistic and objective budget that is acknowledging Gozo’s needs, whilst addressing them with specific measures.”

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