Malta Tourism Authority to fund management of Xlendi Bay

by Gozo News · June 10, 2016

At a news conference in Marsalforn, Gozo, the Minister for Tourism Edward Zammit Lewis and the Minister for Gozo, Anton Refalo presided over a ceremony awarding the Beach of Quality Flags for Marsalforn and Hondoq ir-Rummien.

They also announced a financial agreement between the Malta Tourism Authority and the Ministry for Gozo to further improve the management of beaches.

"The Authority will continue to increase its commitment to Gozo not only to cover the management costs for the beaches of Marsalforn and Hondoq ir-Rummien, but for the first time, will be funding the management of Xlendi Bay."

The Minister for Tourism, he said that the Malta Tourism Authority has for a number of years helped the GAIA Foundation to provide the necessary financing for the life guard service at Ramla, the MTA has also funded the service in Comino.

Dr Edward Zammit Lewis expressed his satisfaction that the Ministry for Gozo managed to obtain two Beach of Quality Flags, for Hondoq ir-Rummien and Marsalforn, these flags are the first step towards achieving the coveted Blue Flag.

"We continue also in managing the beaches in Comino, both the Blue Lagoon, as well as Santa Maria Bay. The Lands Division and the Malta Tourism Authority in collaboration with the Gozo Ministry have restricted the area where umbrellas and deckchairs can be placed, therefore preventing them from spreading uncontrollably, in a place which is not only very popular, but also a very small area and limited for space," said the Minister for Tourism.

Hr added that the agreement between the Malta Tourism Authority and the Ministry for Gozo is valued at €250,000.

The Minister for Gozo Anton Refalo said that he was very pleased that the 2 beaches had achieved this honour within the first year of application, but reiterated that the aim of the Ministry for Gozo is that now these two beaches meet the criteria for Blue Flag Beaches.

Dr Refalo urged the public to visit the many beautiful beaches here in Gozo, while also taking care of the environment and keeping it clean. He thanked a number of entities for their input, namely the Directorates concerned within the Ministry for Gozo, MTA, Nature Trust Malta, and Transport Malta, MEPA, the Lands Division, Local Councils, ERRC and the Police.

Finally, Ministers Dr Edward Zammit Lewis and Dr Anton Refalo claimed that tourism depends on the environment and its continued improvement. "In this regard the tourism policy of this Government is the key to create such synergies in the case of collaboration between the Malta Tourism Authority and the Ministry for Gozo, with this the country will gain more successes, which translates into more investment, direct entry, quality jobs and growth in national wealth."