The Gozo Tourism Association, in a statement has said that it is backing the stance taken by the Gozitan mayors on the the amount of overdevelopment happening in Gozo and is asking the Planning Authority to follow its “sublime aims as set in its own vision and mission statements.”

The GTA said that it is “truly perplexed” by the Planning Authority’s position in not acceding a meeting to the Gozitan Mayors who wanted to voice their concerns on the situation.

The GTA stated that “the Planning Authority is failing Gozo and in the process is killing the goose that lays the golden egg.”

The Association added that it is the Planning Authority’s vision “to make Malta and Gozo a more pleasant and desirable place to live in.” Is the Planning Authority living up to this aim with regards to the Island of Gozo?

It also pointed out that in its mission statement the Planning Authority declares that it will be “acting on behalf of the community to provide a balanced and sustainable environment.” The GTA asked if this is this being achieved by not meeting the Gozitan Mayors who are the elected representatives of the whole Gozitan community?

Along the years the Gozo Tourism Association said that it has marketed this “small beautiful island through its rural character, and natural beauty. Even the tourism entrepreneurs were wise enough and exploited the rurality of the island as an opportunity to create a new tourism protect.”

“40-50 years ago the tourism sector started restoring and converting old derelict buildings in the country side into modern type of accommodation found in the Gozitan farmhouses,” the GTA said.

It pointed out that “those brave pioneers opted for restoration versus destruction. They set an example how to introduce a new unique type of accommodation which is so typical of the heart of Gozo, without jeopardising the soul of our island.”

More recently restoration and conversation of houses of character in boutique hotels in the village cores, enriched the Gozitan touristic offer, and dove tailing perfectly with our island’s unique character, it said.

The Gozo Tourism Association, representing a wide range of tourism operators, said that it is in favour of sustainable and well-planned development which respects the characteristics of our island.

It concluded by saying that “these same characteristics are not being protected by those who are entrusted to do so.”

Photo: GTA

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