18 May 2007 Rating 6% No Comment  

Gozo is well prepared for this weekend's Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana with all service providers geared up for what is expected to be a large influx of visitors to the island. Gozo hotels are reported to be fully-booked with self-catering accommodation outlets also registering a constant flow of bookings. This boost in tourism activity is happening during what would have been an otherwise relatively quiet weekend for the tourism industry in Gozo. This was said yesterday by the Hon. Giovanna Debono, Minister for Gozo, as she toured sites that will be hosting as main stages during the weekend's events, together with the Hon. Dr. Francis Zammit Dimech, Minister for Tourism and Culture. Minister Debono and Minister Zammit Dimech visited sites where the six stages will be set up - in Sabina Square, Independence Square, St George's Square, St Augustine Square, St Francis Square and Republic Street crossroads. The six sites will be offering the general public a wide variety of cultural activities, including different musical genres for the enjoyment of audiences of all ages. Minister Debono said that besides the organisation of the event on an artistic and cultural level, Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana necessitates a full logistical approach that includes coordination of several services that serve to enhance 'the Gozo experience'. Minister Debono said that the two Ministries received full collaboration from the Police, Civil Protection Department, Gozo Channel Co Ltd, Victoria Local Council, Gozo General Hospital, Red Cross Gozo branch, Malta Transport Authority, Gozo Bus Owners' Association, Malta Maritime Authority and several other Government departments that will be providing round-the-clock services according to demand for the benefit of all those attending the events. Minister Debono thanked all those that will be working extra hours to make Gozo a more accessible and safe destination whilst crowd-pulling events take place around the main town. Speaking specifically about the transport arrangements, Minister Debono mentioned the special transport services connecting seven localities in Malta with Cirkewwa for Saturday evening with return trips for early Sunday morning for the benefit of those travelling from Malta to Gozo on Saturday, including the provision of shuttle ferry services by Gozo Channel at a reduced ferry fare. These are being complemented by other special public transport schedules that leave all villages in Gozo, including Mgarr Harbour, Marsalforn and Xlendi, to Victoria and back throughout the night. These arrangements are being organised in order for the general public to make more use of public transport and therefore avoid the need to travel with their own car to Victoria. "Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana is a unique opportunity for Gozo to promote its cultural and artistic treasures not only to the Gozitans but to the thousands of Maltese and tourists who will be visiting our sister island for this particular event." This was stated by Dr Francis Zammit Dimech, Minister of Tourism and Culture who added that yesterday Parliament approved the Malta Tourism Authority estimates for this year. He said that in their tourism plans the Government is giving special attention to Gozo which is being promoted as a destination in its own right with its own characteristics and culture and with specialised sectors such as diving. The Minister for Tourism and Culture said that the many infrastructural projects, embellishment projects, the construction of the Mgarr and Cirkewwa harbours, as well as the ITS branch were giving Gozo the upgrading it deserves. He said that these projects were also contributing towards promoting Gozo as a top notch destination. Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana will be held from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th of May in Victoria. It is being organised by the Ministry for Gozo and the Ministry for Tourism and Culture, sponsored by the National Lotteries Good Causes Fund - Ministry of Finance, Bank of Valletta, Air Malta and Gozo Channel Company Limited and supported by the Victoria Local Council, the Malta Tourism Authority, the Gozo Tourism Association and BPC. The full programme of events is available online at www.gozoculture.com. For further information one should call 21559832, or contact the organising team via email: events@gozoculture.com.