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- 2007 was the best year for tourism in Gozo - Minister for Gozo
- Inbound tourists increase by 20.5% in May
- Estimated increase of 15.3% for inbound tourists in November
- Inbound tourists increased by 27.0 per cent
- Latest statistics show a continuing rise in the tourism sector
- Inbound tourists show an increase of 13.4 per cent in February
- Departing tourists increase by 23.4 per cent in January 2008
- Tourists increase 3.0% but length of stay down by 14.9%
- Hotel occupancy in January 2008 increases by eight per cent
- Departing tourists increase by 10.9 per cent in December 2007
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The increase in tourist arrivals, which reached the 1.2 million mark on a national level last year, was also recorded by the Gozo tourism industry, according to the Gozo Tourism Association (GTA).
The GTA said that, according to the National Statistics Office, foreign tourist arrivals in Gozo registered an increase of 6,634 over figures for 2006 representing an upward trend of 19 per cent. This increase positively affected the number of bednights spent by foreign tourists on the island. Bednight figures increased by 24,653 over the previous year with the length of stay of foreign tourists in Gozo averaging 5.24 nights.
A key factor for the tourism sector during 2007 was the introduction of low-cost airlines. The GTA said that, although favouring this important decision, it had been concerned that this measure would negatively affect the much needed activity generated in Gozo by the domestic market especially during the lean and shoulder months.
The Association also noted a positive increase in figures relating to this important segment of Gozo’s tourism market. NSO figures show that during the past year, 3,273 more Maltese residents opted for a short break in Gozo over the previous year. This represents an increase of 10.8 per cent over 2006 with the average length of stay standing at 1.98 nights.
When taken together, these figures represent a net increase of 9,907 in arrivals on Gozo over 2006 or an upward 15.5 per cent surge, thus also registering an increase of 31,901 or 13 per cent more bednights spent in Gozitan hotels or guesthouses over the previous year.
These figures only relate to hotels and guesthouses registered in Gozo and do not include the self-catering sector which includes the unique farmhouse product as well as self-catering apartments. This signifies that the results for 2007 more than reflected the positive trend registered on a national level. It also meant that Gozo appeals to both the foreign and local tourist, thus justifying the Association’s belief that Gozo should be marketed as a distinct destination.
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