The Gozo Tourism Association has launched an abridged version of its Budget 2021 proposals, which are based on five main priority areas namely: Connectivity, Fiscal, Product, Marketing and Human Resources.

The GTA Budget 2021 proposals for connectivity include among others reduced ferry fares, a fast ferry and the return of the helicopter service, but no tunnel.

The Association said that during these last years, Gozo was experiencing relative growth from foreign tourist arrivals, and optimising on the domestic market, when the Maltese Islands registered a record of 2.7 million foreign arrivals.

However, all this changed, as during 2020 the tourism situation has been negatively impacted due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it said.

The Association highlighted the fact that in this scenario the tourism sector on Gozo needs to look beyond the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Whilst the Gozo Tourism Association as the representative of this sector, is lobbying and contributing in order to establish mitigating measures, which would help sustain the Gozitan tourism establishments, our focus should be aimed at proper restart and recovery actions for this important economic contributor,” it said.

The GTA went on to say that, whilst the proposals cover also Covid-19 mitigating measures, other proposals encompass medium to long term actions and interventions which should assist the sector’s recovery once the Covid-19 pandemic is over.

Following are the salient measures in the Gozo Tourism Association Budget 2021 proposals:

Connectivity

• The reduced ferry fares from Monday to Thursday is to be continued during the winter periods, while a scheme of reduced ferry fares is to be introduced for the weekends during the period November to March.

• The introduction of the fast ferry between the two islands, connecting directly Mgarr to Valletta.

• The Helicopter service is to be re-introduced, whilst ensuring that this service should offer the check-in facility at the Gozo Heliport to outbound passengers via the Malta International Airport. The inter-island airlink is to be further enhanced by the building of a 450 metre airstrip that can accommodate the landing and take-off of a 20-seater fixed wing aircraft.

• The necessary infrastructural investment in cruise ship berthing buoys off Xlendi Bay and off Mgarr harbour in order to offer alternative berthing facilities around the West and South coast of Gozo.

• The immediate repair and maintenance of the Mgarr landing quays to offer a proper disembarking and embarking facilities to cruise tourists.

• The construction of the planned ring road around Victoria.

• The creation of parking spaces in Victoria, Marsalforn, Xlendi, and Mgarr.

Fiscal Measures

• The extension of the wage supplement for the tourism sector and covering also new employees recruited after March 2020 up to at least the end of April, 2021, and beyond if need be to sustain the recovery of tourism businesses.

• MTA licensed accommodation units with swimming-pool facilities are to be exempted from REWS license fees for 2020 and 2021.

• The re-launch of the vouchers scheme redeemable during the winter months.

• The waiving off of all licenses due for 2021 to all tourism related establishments covered by an operating license issued by the Malta Tourism Authority.

• Reduction of VAT on the accommodation to 5%. The VAT rate for other tourism related services like restaurants, diving and transport should be reduced from 18% to 10%.

Marketing

• The commissioning by Government of a Carry Capacity Assessment Study for Gozo Tourism, with particular focus on accommodation supply and other tourism services in Gozo for the next ten years.

• A strong international marketing campaign to kick start promotion of Gozo destination when restrictions on travel are lifted off.

• Target the repeat clientele that Gozo has garnered, while focusing on other types of tourist profile that Gozo can attract.

• Create, offer and entice new products like adventure, activity, sports, walking and well- being in the absence of or a restricted cultural calendar.

Product

• A scheme to all MTA licensed tourism establishments to cater for the upgrading of their product.

• Government to fast forward the amendments to the Tourism Act (1999) as soon as possible and preferably by beginning of 2021.

• The updating and the implementation of the Diving Master Plan (2006), by the Ministry for Gozo.

• The upkeep on regular basis of the rural roads leading to self-catering accommodation for easier access, especially during winter time.

• The development of sports facilities, including a water park, a theme park, athletics track and training camps facilities.

• The setting up of a foundation, with the participation of the various stakeholders, to run, manage and maintain the Cittadella.

Human Resources

• Training schemes during the winter months aimed at improving knowledge and skills in the tourism industry, including training in soft skills and languages, while encouraging retention of employees during off-peak months, sustained through grants coupled with employer and employee full NI Credit.

• Scheme targeted towards foreign employees to integrate better through the learning of the Maltese or English Language as well the history and culture of the Maltese Islands.

• A scheme that encourages employees, operators and owners already in the tourism sector to obtain post graduate certification, post graduate Diploma and Master of Science in Hospitality Management.

• Develop the ITS Gozo Campus into a specialised vocational tourism institution that caters not only for Gozitans but also for Maltese and foreign students who opt to follow specific courses.

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