The Minister for Gozo Dr Anton Refalo, together with the Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Ian Borg, has launched a digital promotion campaign for Gozo, following its announcement last October.

The project has benefited from more than €250,000 of EU Funds under the the European Regional Development Fund (Priority Axis – Promoting Sustainable Tourism). The Ministry for Gozo also managed to increase by 50%, the budget allocated from National Funding to promote tourism, Dr Refalo said.

The Minister explained that the Directorate for Tourism and Economic Development within the Ministry for Gozo, began work on this project a year ago, when it applied for European Union funds with the help of the Directorate of Programme Implementation. “The purpose of this extensive campaign of digital advertising is to gain a better understanding of Gozo as a tourist destination,” he said.

The Minister for Gozo said that the aim of this promotional campaign is to put Gozo on a greater competitive level in the increasingly influential e-marketing sector of on-line interactivity, predominantly in the field of social media.

It will also be used to advertise Gozo as a holiday destination, among travellers who have the potential to stay longer and spend more at their destination. The campaign is spread over six months, until November 2015, Dr Refalo said.

“Furthermore, it will be raising awareness of Gozo as a preferred destination, offering visitors a personal experience of a strong historical and cultural heritage, a lifestyle not found anywhere else, as well as the possibility of activities available throughout the year in a temperate climate.”

Dr Refalo added that the project also focused on particular markets such as adventure, travel and culture while continuing to spread tourism throughout the year and thus maximise revenue through online advertising in Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, Google+ , YouTube, Instagram, Pin It and other social media platforms.

The Minister for Gozo explained that this initiative forms part of the strategy of the Ministry for Gozo bringing the different sectors of the island to the socio-economic benefits of the local community. “As part of the overall project advertising on Gozo, in recent months the Ministry has also launched a new design for the website www.visitgozo.com.”

“Mobile data traffic overall is expected to grow 10 times between 2014 and 2019, with the website focused on market needs, and includes a system of car pooling in order to assist tourists arrive in Gozo and the airport more efficiently.”

Parliamentary Secretary Ian Borg, said that this is a project which is expected to increase the amount of quality tourists to the island. He said that “interventions of this kind help to continue generating more economy for Gozo.”

The Parliamentary Secretary concluded by saying that the aim of this promotional campaign was to put Gozo at a more competitive level in digital promotion, due to the fact it is now becoming increasingly influential as the choice for tourists because of the use of social media.

Photograph: MGOZ/George Scerri

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