The Gozo Business Chamber has welcomed the schedules and fares announced by the two operators who will be operating the new fast ferry service to Gozo.

The Chamber said that it believes that “accessibility is key to Gozo’s continuous sustainable economic development. However, accessibility depends also on the pricing of the service, both to people living in Malta and those living in Gozo.”

The Chamber noted that both entities have acknowledged the necessity of such a service for Gozitans, with both the pricing structure, and the schedule reflecting the Gozitans’ need to use this service more frequently.

The GBC went on to say that “this service has multiple advantages including its impact on the environment, as it will act as an incentive for persons to reduce car travel both in Malta and in Gozo.”

“It can also create multiple economic niches which can create considerable value added, especially to cruise liner visitors at Valletta Cruise Port, who will now have the possibility to actually visit Gozo even during their short period on the island of Malta,” it said.

The Chamber pointed out that “it will also have a significant social impact reducing substantially travelling time for commuters, leading more people to actually decide to make Gozo their home while working in Malta, and therefore helping preserve our communities’ identity.”

The Chamber said that it has always advocated the need for such an important service, linked to the main economic hubs on both islands and note the “positive impacts of the Government’s decision to liberalise this service, and also the current works being done to ensure that the service starts to be operational as from the 1 st June.”

The Chamber concluded by saying that it looks forward to the start of the service and would like to augur both operators a successful venture.

The Gozo Tourism Association has also welcomed the announced fares and service schedules. Saying that they “clearly indicate that they cater for both the Gozitans and visitors alike.”

The GTA stressed that “the success of any tourism destination depends on its connectivity. Therefore this latest addition of the fast ferry service starting in the coming days is another loop that enhances the inter-island connectivity.”

The introduction of this long-awaited service clearly demonstrates political will to offer another means of sea transport, not only to the Gozitan residents but also to all foreign and domestic visitors, the Association said.

The Gozo Tourism Association added that it believes in different modes of inter-island connections and thus this service will be offering another direct alternative sea-link to Gozo via Valletta in a relatively quicker time.

“This service will be appealing not only to the Gozitans, who will use it for the daily commuting but it will be another means of fast crossing to Gozo both for the domestic market as well as for the Malta based tourists,” it said.

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