3 comments so far.The Government keeps on dragging its feet – GTA
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The Gozo Tourism Association would like to express its concerns about the present situation and the fast approaching summer season. Indications are clearly showing that the outcome of the current year will not reach the figures achieved during 2008. Furthermore the occupancy figures for both the foreign and domestic market on Gozo for the first two months of 2009 resulted in a decrease on those recorded for the same period of 2008.
The National Office of statistics figures for the first months of 2009, are also registering decreases in the number of ferry commuters between the two islands. However the ferry commuter figures should be interpreted in a more holistic scenario which does not necessarily reflect the tourism aspect only. Infact these figures, include the number of Gozitan students and workers who commute daily between Gozo and Malta as well as the ever increasing number of Maltese residents who own a property on Gozo.
Meanwhile the domestic market which the Gozitan Tourism sector managed to sustain and nourish along the years is slowly but surely being diverted to out bound destinations which are being serviced by the various low cost carriers. This market was helping to mitigate the high seasonality element on Gozo. The Gozo Tourism Association also believes that the sparodic busy weekends like Carnival and Easter are not a sustainable way to operate a tourist establishment during a never ending winter season on Gozo.
To rub salt on the wound the tourism sector on Gozo is constantly encountering law enforcement, which although in certain circumstances is necessary, however in other cases it is disproportionate on a seasonal, sensitive and small island like Gozo. The Gozitan tourism needs measures to extend the short summer season and not actions which are rendering operations in tourism establishments seasonal.
In the prevailing circumstances the Gozo Tourism Association is calling on the Authorities to tackle the tourism industry on Gozo more seriously, if we are to instill confidence and create the right climate within the tourism sector, especially in the coming tough months.
The Gozo Tourism Association is appealing to Government to act in the short term to resolve outstanding issues and act accordingly in matters concerning the tourism sector on Gozo. Issues related to the tourism product both public and privately owned are to be tackled without further delay to be in shape for the fast approaching season. Pending permits related to tourism services and infrastructural projects put forward by the private sector should be treated without further bureaucracy to stimulate the Gozitan economic impasse.
All the aforementioned issues, although some might interprete them as the usual Gozitan lamentations, are brought about simply because the Gozitan island lacks the proper administrative arm in tourism, which the island of Gozo deserves on its own right.
Until such time, the Government keeps on dragging its feet to give Gozo the merited tools, this island will simply remain a summer season resort and or a retreat crib. That is not sustainable tourism.
Joe Muscat
Secretary
Gozo Tourism Association
With regards to the law enforcement part I hoping its a typing error as the rule of law is equal to all and enforcible on all equally. If someone is breaking the law during though times. Then its though luck! Now wether the judiciary is slow and appealing takes forver thats another issue. So be more specific please.
I think what frustrates Gozitans apart from the fact that they have to apply through Maltese bureaucracy for any applications is the fact that there is no vision for the island. For all policymakers tend in Malta and Gozo to say is that it is ‘a difficult situation’.I think its more than that. I thinks it is plain unwillingness by the ministry of Gozo to get down to do business and set a standard of excellence as the ministry’s government would say.
1 question to whom has this letter been addressed other than the public? anyone specific? who do the associations and informal groups of people refer to in Gozo?
Last week we heard that the GTA has launched new plans for Marsalforn .
How can we see them because these are of interest to everyone
As I understand from here : http://www.islandofgozo.org/aboutus.htm
They are an association of private entities. Therefore unless you are a stakeholder in the association or own a business I believe you dont have much of a right to ask for their plans. As long as they dont try to apply them to reality. In that case then information should be accesible to the public.
A private request may result with the desired information, the problem is what are their contact details? I couldnt find them