The Gozo Tourism Association, as the main representative body of the Gozitan Tourism establishments, has always expressed itself in favour of regulatory measures with respect to the appropriate operations of all establishments operating in the tourism industry on Gozo. Any irregular operation poses unfair competition to those who regularly pay licences and fees all year round. Moreover they are a threat to the tourism industry itself.

However, the way enforcement measures were effected in the popular resorts of Marsalforn and Xlendi on Wednesday the 9th and Thursday the 10th of July, 2008, respectively, can be described as anything but civil. Officers from the Lands Department in conjunctions with MTA officials, aided by the members of the police Corps and workmen from the Works Department raided each and every catering establishment operating on the Marsalforn Front.

This enforcement operation took practically the whole evening, from around 19.00hrs to 22.30hrs, basically dinner time. Patrons at the respective establishments were regaled with any unusual sight. Space irregularly occupied by some of the establishments was literally cleared from anything, including tables, chairs, umbrellas and their bases, flower pots and menu stands.

Apart from the inappropriate time and period chosen to carry out this enforcement operation, one must also mention the uncouth way, in which some of the works were carried out. Diners were surrounded by sparks emitted by grinding equipment used to cut steel and metal poles and rods, found to be erratic. These works also provoked an unethical exchange of words between the officers and the owners in front of all diners and passers by.

The Gozo Tourism Association acknowledges the fact that all catering establishments had been advised as from early June that enforcement would be implemented in the following weeks. The Association also reiterates its stand regarding irregular occupation of public space by any establishment. However, we feel that the way these irregularities were corrected was totally unethical, causing unnecessary havoc and projecting a totally unprofessional image of the Tourism Industry on Gozo.

Foreign and local diners alike were quite literally shocked by the unexpected scenes on an island which promotes itself as an idyllic and tranquil destination.

As an Association, we feel that the manner with which the tourism industry on Gozo has been treated for the sake of regularization on this Wednesday and Thursday starkly contrasts with that, which the Malta Tourism Authority, has been preaching to all tourism service providers on the Maltese Islands.

The Gozo Tourism Association would like to appeal to all operating tourist establishments in Gozo, to abide by their respectives licences and permits. Finally the GTA would like to recommend to the Authorities concerned to put into practice that, which we have all been preaching, for the sake of safeguarding, enhancing and promoting the much essential tourism industry on our beautiful islands.

Joe Muscat
Secretary
Gozo Tourism Association