The restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic has been taking its toll on the number of visitors to Gozo over the past year, with fewer passengers and vehicles crossing on Gozo Channel.

According to latest data from the National Statistics Office, during the fourth quarter of 2020, there was an increase in Gozo Channel trips between the islands, however, there was a decrease in both passengers and vehicles when compared to the corresponding quarter of 2019.

876,054 passengers travelled between Malta and Gozo during the fourth quarter of 2020, this was down by 35.4% when compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

The highest number of passengers was recorded in October at 327,214 or 37.4% of the total for the quarter.

When compared to the same quarter of the previous year, the number of vehicles also registered a decrease of 8.2%, with a total of 390,781 vehicles.

There were 8,094 trips, an increase of 5.8% over the same period in 2019. The majority of trips took place in October with 2,760 or 34.1% of total trips for the quarter.

The NSO noted that overall, during 2020, the number of trips went up by 1,421 or 5.1%, when compared to 2019.

Vehicle movements between the islands decreased by 230,771 or 12.9%, over the previous year, while the number of passengers went down by 2,143,799 or 36.2%.

July 2020 recorded the highest number of trips and vehicles, 2,790 and 179,425, respectively. On the other hand, August registered the largest share of passengers crossing between the two islands, 452,929, the NSO said.

Passenger and vehicle traffic originating from Cirkewwa was busiest on Friday and Saturday, whereas highest numbers for passengers and vehicle traffic originating from Mgarr were recorded on Sunday and Monday.

Photo by Alain Salvary

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