Network Publications Ltd launched a new magazine entitled 'Let's Gozo' yesterday, the magazine is the latest initiative to further promote tourism to Gozo.

The magazine will be published monthly, with the first issue published this month, by Network Publications Ltd in collaboration with the Gozo Tourism Association, the Ministry for Gozo and the Gozo Channel Co Ltd.

The lifestyle magazine will be distributed freely in Malta in a bid to entice visitors to the island all year round.

Speaking during the launch, the Minister for Gozo Giovanna Debono, who was presented with a first issue of the magazine, said that the publication of Let?s Gozo falls squarely in line with Government?s initiatives and strategy to promote Gozo as a distinct destination during all months of the year, with particular focus on boosting tourism during the off peak season.

Minister Debono said that besides supporting the publication of Let?s Gozo the Ministry for Gozo has also manufactured five large format billboards, for use by the Gozo Tourism Association, to be displayed in strategic locations in Malta to promote visits to Gozo. These are being complemented by schemes currently on offer to target more visitors to Gozo such as the Gozo Channel Immorru G?awdex campaign, and the specific Gozo-oriented marketing initiatives carried out internationally by the Malta Tourism Authority.

Minister Debono said that the contribution that domestic tourism pays to Gozo?s economy cannot be underestimated, with 50% of all tourist arrivals in hotels and guest houses in Gozo (excluding self-catering) coming from the domestic market, while the island?s seasonality can be partially countered by an increase of more tourists on short but frequent breaks to Gozo during the off peak season. Government has identified internal tourism as one with further potential for growth and it is also in this context that marketing initiatives are being undertaken to further boost visitors to Gozo.

Minister Debono said that Government is adopting a holistic approach to assist the tourism industry in Gozo, with efforts to improve the tourism product through projects such as the Niche Tourism Project for the Island of Gozo (targeting the diving industry), and upgrading projects such as those at the Museum of Archaeology at the Citadel, the new tourism training facility in Qala, the Villa Rundle and the ?ewwieqa waterfront projects and the upgrading of the main arterial road network across the island.

These projects are being complemented by other initiatives taken by Government recently to further assist the tourism industry in Gozo, including the reduction of Gozitan catering establishment?s license by 25%, while further schemes will be announced in the coming weeks to continue assisting the tourism industry on Gozo.

Mr Joseph Borg, Gozo Channel Co Ltd Chairman and Mr Joe Muscat, Gozo Tourism Association Secretary, together with representatives of Network Publications Ltd also attended the launch of the Let?s Gozo magazine.