World Tourism Day has been celebrated in Gozo during an event held on Friday evening at the Villa Rundle Gardens in Victoria, organised by the Ministry for Gozo.

The United Nations devoted the 27th of September to mark World Tourism Day, with the theme chosen for this year – Tourism and Jobs: a Better future for all.

During the special evening, with guests including representatives of the Gozo Tourism Association, the Gozo Business Chamber and the Diplomatic Corps, the Minister for Gozo Justyne Caruana pointed out how during this summer, Gozo Channel carried almost 1,900,000 passengers between the islands.

She went on to explain that the tourism industry generates 50% of GDP in Gozo and operates with 30% of people who are employed in private sector facilities and other ancillary services.

Dr Caruana explained that there is ongoing work on various tracks to turn the challenge of seasonality into an opportunity, through different cultural activities being organised by the Ministry, as well as ambitious and sustainable projects being carried out, particularly those in infrastructure and improving connectivity.

She concluded by saying that the message of the evening in tourism was that now, apart from numbers, we must focus on quality and excellence.

Joe Muscat, CEO of the Gozo Tourism Association, said that although the numbers in the tourism sector are good, the emphasis must be on the quality of tourist to ensure that the characteristics Gozo offers – the quiet, the serenity, the aspect and cultural heritage and wonderful countryside are preserved and continue to be enjoyed.

Photograph: MGOZ/Terry Camilleri

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