The time of year that people with long memories used to refer to as “the tourist season” is upon us again and the occasion has been marked in Gozo in time-honoured tradition – by the annual digging up of the road to the harbour at Mgarr.

You have to admire the way the Maltese persist in preserving this annual rite.

Residents are now confidently predicting that work will resume on the ferry terminal to coincide with the greatest influx of foreign tourists in July and August.

The only consolation is that, having experienced the shambolic state of the place in recent years, and in the face of ever-increasing fares to access Gozo, fewer foreign visitors than ever will be reporting back on how seriously the Maltese islands deal with their (currently) biggest and most important industry.

Revel Barker

GHAJNSIELEM