Six Gozo projects receive funding to upgrade venues to host MICE events

Voluntary organisations and companies in Gozo have been awarded €190,000 through the MICE scheme to restore or upgrade venues to host MICE events..

Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri announced the list of beneficiaries who will be benefiting from the scheme which was launched for the first time last year.

through this financial scheme voluntary organisations and companies have been awarded funds to carry out restoration or regeneration works on venues and halls in which they can organise various meetings, create incentives, conferences and international exhibitions (MICE).

These halls must have a seating capacity of at least 150 people. Minister Camilleri said that these projects will have a total expenditure of around €380,000, and the Ministry for Gozo will be covering 50% of this investment, ie €190,000.

He noted how through this scheme another economic niche will be created in Gozo, “which is expected to attract more quality tourism to the island of Gozo.”

The Minister explained how “many refer to MICE as what is considered business travel and therefore there are strong connotations with the conference sector. Nevertheless, MICE is a concept that can be linked to other tourism niches in it, such as religious tourism, and artistic and cultural exhibitions among others.”

Ronald Sultana, Director of Tourism and Economic Development within the Ministry for Gozo, said that after the eligibility period of the scheme had expired, the applications submitted were evaluated according to the criteria of the guidelines.

The six projects benefiting from the co-financing of the Ministry are:

1. Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz

2. Nadur Teen & Youth Centre

3. Gozo Conference & Expo Centre of the Leone Philharmonic Society

4. Giuseppe Giardini Hall Astra Theatre of the La Stella Philharmonic Society

5. Palazzo Celio of the St. Gregory Musical Society Kercem

6. The band club of the Santa Marija Philharmonic Society Zebbug

Minister Clint Camilleri reminded and encouraged other interested operators to apply for this scheme which is also open this year.