The Gozo Tourism Association in a statement has referred to recent calls “aimed especially towards the Gozitan self catering accommodation operators claiming that they are responsible for overcrowding in the rented premises.”

The GTA argued that it is “unfair to hold the self-catering accommodation lessors responsible for the number of people in the rented private properties. The majority of the licensed self catering operators are booking their units according to their licensed number of beds.”

The Gozo Tourism Association went on to say that it is “practically impossible for operators to police their rented property, thus it is insensitive to propose to fine the operators if their rented accommodation is overcrowded.”

It added that it “rests solely on the holiday maker to be responsible and act diligently at all times while enjoying a holiday break.”

According to the Association, “it has always been the concern of the self-catering operators how to control the number of booked people in the rented property and those actually staying in.”

The Association pointed out that Gozo has accommodated Maltese visitors throughout the past months of the Covid-19 pandemic, both in hotels and other collective units as well as in self-catering units.

The GTA added that furthermore, Gozo is being frequented by those living on the mainland, who also own a holiday residence on the sister island.

The Association stressed that it is “confident that the majority of the Gozitan accommodation units, both in the collective, as well as the non-collective sectors are operating and hosting these visitors under strict Health Protocols, as issued by the Health Authorities and the Malta Tourism Authority.”

It said that Gozitan tourism operators are “continuously enquiring and asking for clarifications in order to be in line with any changes.”

In the prevailing circumstances the GTA said that it “continues to emphasis and encourage all these establishments to persist in following the Health recommendations and instructions.”

This, it said, is in order to ensure health safety both to the visitors and the employees in the Gozitan touristic establishments.

The GTA reiterated that it is once again appealing and reminding all the guests who visit Gozo during any particular time of the week, “to strictly adhere to the instructions, warnings and appeals that are being announced continuously by our Health Authorities.”

The GTA concluded by urging the authorities to “continue with their efforts in enforcing the health protocols. Yet it rests solely on the holiday maker to be responsible and act diligently at all times while enjoying a holiday break.”

Photo by Alain Salvary

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