Budget: No fiscal measures towards the Gozitan tourism industry – GTA

The Gozo Tourism Association, in its reaction to Monday’s Budget 2020 announcements, said that its Budget proposals ^[1] put forward earlier this month, were mostly targeted towards fiscal measures, incentives to niche markets and the touristic product upgrade.

In a statement the GTA said that it noted that no fiscal measures were introduced towards the Gozitan tourism industry.

However, the GTA said, there was a positive note, with the announced measure of setting up a fund for the MICE and conference business to Gozo, which had also been proposed by the Association.

The GTA went on to say that it believes that overall this is a budget that “reflects the economic growth environment in various sectors in the Maltese islands including the tourism industry which this year is expecting to attract 2.7 million tourists.”

The announced sealink measures, whereby Gozo Channel will be investing in an owned fourth ferry in addition to its fleet, as well as a new modern ticketing system at the Mgarr and Cirkewwa terminals, were also positive measures, the Association said.

The fourth ferry was also a proposal which the GTA had been putting forward as a measure in its budget proposals over the last years, it said.

This budget for 2020 is also targeting the improvement of the touristic product on the Island of Gozo, the GTA added.

Infrastructural improvements including the continuation of works as contemplated in the master plans for the resorts of Marsalforn and Xlendi and the commencement of work on the Marsalforn breakwater, were all welcomed by the GTA.

It also welcomed news of the work on the road to Marsalforn, together with the much awaited continuation of the reconstruction works on the road from Mgarr to Nadur.

Ir also noted the continued investment in the cultural events, “a measure that will further enhance the Gozitan touristic experience.”

The GTA concluded by saying that although there were other several budget measures proposed by the Association, and that were not catered for, especially those targeted to continue mitigating seasonality, it acknowledged that “on the whole the measures targeting tourism on Gozo, promotes further growth for this sector on the Island of Gozo.”

Photograph by Mario Xerri