The Minister for Gozo, Dr Anton Refalo, today visited various commercial outlets, hotels, restaurants and self-catering establishments, following what he said is “Gozo’s outstanding results registered this year in the tourism sector.”

During a speech made during his visits he said that a total of 70,000 people crossed over on the Gozo ferry on the Santa Marija long weekend. This he said, was an increase of 3.0% on last year. 18,000 vehicles crossed during the same weekend, meaning an increase of 2.5% on 2013.

The increase of tourists was not just for the week of the feast, the Minister said. Adding that according to the latest statistics issued by the NSO, Gozo registered an increase in percentage of tourists who spent nights in hotels of 7.0% over 2013 and 22.0% on 2010.“Gozo is attracting more tourists even in the shoulder months, Dr Refalo said. He pointed out that in these months Gozo accommodated 49.0% of tourists, with a 10% increase in Maltese who visited Gozo and stayed in either a hotel or guest house. “This increase was made possible through the two initiatives undertaken by the Gozo Channel Company in February and May.”

The Minister said that “this success is just the beginning. The Ministry for Gozo has a strategy to boost tourism by encouraging particular niche markets. Apart from a new cruise liner terminal; and the yacht marina, medical tourism and educational tourism will also be developed.

He stated that “in 2013 the number of nights spent by tourists in Gozo extend to 972,000. We are confident that for the first time in the history of Gozo, we will have a record of one million tourists this year.”

The Minister for Gozo was accompanied on his visits by Joe Muscat the CEO of the Gozo Tourism Association and Micheal Grech, the President of the Malta Gozo Chamber.

Dr Refalo also visited restoration sites on Gozo, where the work is being carried out by Wirt Ghawdex.

Photographs; MGOZ/George Scerri

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