The Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, has announced that the required permits in connection with berthing facilities for cruiseliners at Xlendi Bay have been issued by MEPA. This announcement was made during a visit near the site where the berth will be anchored.

Minister Debono explained how the tourism industry on Gozo will be able to gain from the increase in cruiseliner business, which has become an integral part of the Maltese touristic market. Thus the whole island will be able to share in the economic benefit this brings to our country. This also represents the implementation of yet another measure which was promised in Government’s electoral programme.

The Minister stated that tourism is a strong pillar in our country’s socio-economic development but this is especially so with regards to the island of Gozo. Government has acknowledged the particular challenges faced by the tourism industry on Gozo and has clearly shown its intention of supporting this important industry. Gozo should be marketed as a distinct destination and the Ministry for Gozo has endeavoured to keep this policy at the centre of its strategy. Projects which have been carried out or are programmed to be executed in the coming months have been or will be instrumental to enhance Gozo’s touristic product.

The particular challenges faced by the tourism industry on Gozo amongst which accessibility, seasonality and an appropriate marketing strategy have all been addressed and will continue to be addressed. The significant improvement in the services offered by Gozo Channel Co amongst which the new Mgarr Terminal have all linked to give a better, safer and more efficient service but most of all they have succeeded in making Gozo more accessible all year round. Minister Debono quoted figures recently released by NSO show that the number of commuters and vehicles are continuously on the increase. Latest figures show that during the first six months of this year Gozo Channel ferries carried a total 1,836,512 passengers and 497,552 vehicles which means an increase of almost 133,000 passengers and more 33,000 over the same period last year.

Moreover specific marketing schemes and measures amongst which the decrease of 25% in licence fees for Gozitan tourist establishments together with other schemes directed to attract the domestic market have all borne fruit. Accomodation statistics show that during 2007 the Gozitan touristic market experienced a global increase of 15.5 per cent of tourists who spent a night or more on Gozo. This comprised a 10.8 per cent increase in tourists from the domestic market and an encouraging 19.7 per cent increase in foreign tourists.

Minister Giovanna Debono concluded by saying that the new cruise liner berthing facilities in Xlendi, will surely provide the Gozitan tourism industry with another opportunity to build upon these encouraging results. This thanks to the collaboration of the Malta Maritime Authority and the Parliamentary Secretariat for Tourism, who together with the Ministry for Gozo are working on this project. This event was also attended by other Ministry for Gozo officials as well as by representatives of the Gozo Tourism Association together with the Mayor of the locality.