The Gozo Tourism Association has welcomed the two diving and sports schemes announced today by Minister for Tourism Clayton Bartolo.

The GTA, in a statement on Friday, said that the diving segment is a very important component of the Maltese Islands tourism composite.

It stressed that “for Gozo, the diving niche is even more lucrative, as it’s estimated that 20% of foreign tourists who overnight in Gozo come purposely for diving around the island’s coastline.”

The Association said that it believes that the diving scheme will prove beneficial for the 15 diving centres in Gozo, which it said, “were one of the segments worst hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, since apart from lack of foreign divers, this sector did not benefit from the domestic market.”

It went on to say that sports tourism is growth sector in tourism and it needs to be explored, nurtured, and sustained further.

This scheme aimed towards participants in sports events to be held on the Maltese Islands, will provoke interest both with the sports enthusiasts and events organisers, the GTA said.

The Gozo Tourism Association concluded by saying that it is confident that these measures will stimulate operators in the diving and sports sectors, whilst motivating divers and sports enthusiasts to choose the Maltese Islands to practice their respective sports this coming season.

€1.5 million is to be allocated to support sports tourism, while €750,000 will be allocated to the diving sector, the Minister said today.

For the diving sector, the Government will be giving a €100 voucher for each foreign tourists who visits Malta to practice the hobby. This scheme is expected to start in June.

This can be applied for via a google form on the Visit Malta website. There will be criteria to meet, such as the presentation of a copy of the airline ticket/s. After the Malta Tourism Authority confirms the application the applicant will receive the voucher by email and it can only be used in dive centres on Malta and Gozo.

The scheme to support sport tourism, will work with each organiser of a sports event – who must be accredited by Sports Malta – benefitting from €100 for each athlete or participant who travels to Malta to take part in a sporting event. This scheme is expected to start in July.

To qualify for this scheme, participants must be foreign and travelling to Malta as tourists, not foreigners who are already living in Malta.

 

Photo by Alain Salvary

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