Following the release of the collective accommodation statistics compiled by the National Office of Statistics for the month of March 2014, the Gozo Tourism Association said that it notes the increases in tourist arrivals, both on national level, as well as the positive numbers achieved by the Gozitan tourism industy.
“The total tourist arrivals in Gozo during the month of March, 2014, registered an increase of 4% over the figures registered for March, 2013, The GTA said. “However, due to a drop in the average length of stay this increase was not reflected in the number of bednights spent by tourists on the island. The bednight figures in March 2014, decreased to 17,815, reflecting a decrease of 2.8%, over March 2013.”
“On the other hand,” the GTA said, “when taken cumulatively the above figures represent a net increase of 1,423 more arrivals staying in Hotels and Guesthouses on Gozo from January to March 2014.”
“This represents an increase of 10.7 % when compared to same period last year, translating into 39,116 bednights or 10% more nights spent in Gozitan hotels or guesthouses over the period January to March of 2013.”
The GTA pointed out “that these figures only relate to hotels and guesthouses registered in Gozo, and do not include arrivals or bednights in the self-catering sector, which covers the unique farmhouse product as well as the self-catering apartments.”
“Sectorally, the foreign tourist arrivals in Gozo for the period January to March 2014 registered an increase of 11% over the figures registered for the same period in 2013. This increase positively affected the number of bednights spent by foreign tourists on the island. Bednight figures went up by 20,100, reflecting an increase of 11% over the previous year’s first quarter. The average length of stay of the foreign tourists staying in Gozitan hotels and Guest houses however decreased to 4.18 nights.
Another component of the Gozitan tourism market is the domestic segment, and the GTA also notes an increase in arrival figures relating to this important segment of Gozo’s tourism market.
According to the same NSO figures the number of domestic tourists arrivals in Gozitan Hotels and Guesthouses during the first three months of 2014 increased by 8.1%.
“On the other hand, the NSO figures show that this increase in arrivals during the first three months of 2014, reflected also an increase of 9% in the number of nights spent in Gozitan Hotels and Guesthouse. The average length of stay of the domestic tourist for the period January to March 2014 remained at 1.93 nights.”
In conclusion the Gozo Tourism Association said that it “believes that this year’s current performance augurs well for better prospects in the tourism sector on Gozo. Through the collaboration and synergized efforts of all concerned, as well as sound decisions taken at the right time, Gozo’s unique potential can be better maximised for the benefit of this important industry on the island.”