According to a statement just issued by the Ministry for Gozo, Gozo Channel Ferries carried almost 80,000 passengers and 20,000 vehicles in the five days between Wednesday the 30th of April and Sunday the 4th of May 2008.

The Ministry said that figures which became available this morning, register an increase in both passenger and vehicle traffic related with the Gozo 1234 activity, when compared to the figures registered last year between 16th and 20th May in connection with Lejlet Lapsi - Notte Gozitana. The Ministry added that last year's activity had already been described as a successful crowd-puller during which the ferries carried 63,151 passengers and a total of 15,498 vehicles in 274 trips between the islands.

The Ministry said that last year's figures were yet again surpassed with an increase of around 16,000 passengers, 4,000 vehicles and 52 more trips. The scene at the recently inaugurated Mgarr terminal was busy throughout these days both with the activity generated by this considerable flow of passengers as well as by the organised items specifically addressed at creating a welcoming and entertaining atmosphere for visitors on their arrival on Gozo. The standard of services offered by the main provider of transport facilties across the channel are relatively resulting in more convenience, better comfort and certainly more safety to passengers during boarding and unboarding procedures.

The Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, in a statement issued today, expressed satisfaction at the relatively smooth way with which things proceeded during the past weekend notwithstanding the considerable additional volume of people and traffic generated by this mega-activity. This would not have been possible had it not been for the co-ordinated effort of all those involved. This included the same Gozo Channel Co Ltd which provided transport services as required, the private and public transport services on the island, most Gozitan Local Councils and other entities on the island amongst whom the Gozo Tourism Association and the Gozo Business Chamber, who joined forces with the main organisers 'Burning Spear', with the support of various departments within the Ministry for Gozo and the Malta Tourism Authority within the Parliamentary Secretariat for Tourism. The Police Corps section in Gozo together with the Civil Protection Department as well as the Red Cross branch in Gozo and the Emergency Unit at the Gozo General Hospital are also to be commended on their contribution towards providing safety measures at all times.

The Ministry said that the outstanding attendance and the general comments received during this weekend confirm that the initiatives taken during the past years by the Government through the Ministry for Gozo in conjunction with the Gozitan stakeholders involved, have succeeded in attracting the attention of the domestic market. This sector is a crucial element in Gozo's tourism product since it generates a much needed economical activity during the relatively slow months of the year.