“206,876 vouchers were redeemed in Gozitan outlets and accommodation facilities by the beginning of September, an amount which, including its multiplier effect, signifies an economic injection of €5.2 million.”

Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Businesses, Silvio Schembri, made the announcement when visiting restaurants in Xlendi, accompanied by Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri.

He said that this success is “overwhelming” when considering the number of passengers who travelled between Malta and Gozo since the beginning of June till the end of September of this year.

In effect, during this period, a total number of 1,600,000 passengers crossed between Malta and Gozo. This amounts to just 300,000 less than the amount of passengers in 2019.

“Such results augur well for the hospitality industry and by extension its related services. These numbers are clear evidence that Gozo remains a popular destination for many Maltese, many of whom have visited the island more than once over the summer,” he sadly

Minister Schembri went on to say that “the vouchers were an essential and lifesaving measure which enabled businesses in the tourism sector to stay afloat, continue with their operations and simultaneously generate economic growth.”

“Given that 20% of all jobs in Gozo, totalling some 2,000 occupations, pertain to the tourism sector, this initiative was crucial for the survival and wellbeing of several MTA-licensed hotels and other accommodations, which ultimately have been positively impacted by this same initiative,” he added.

Schembri stated that “considering that 67% of all revenue for restaurants and outlets in Gozo was from redeemed vouchers, we can safely say that the re-stimulating and generation of economic activity for all is due to the direct contribution of the residents of Malta and Gozo.”

In the case of Gozo, 45% of total salaries were covered by the Covid Wage Supplement which further enabled numerous businesses to continue with their operations, he said.

In Malta, redeemed vouchers made up 26% of the revenue for restaurants and outlets, while the Covid Wage Supplement covered 43% of salaries.

Permalink: Over €5 million generated in the Gozitan economy through voucher scheme