Gozo is to mark the 210th anniversary of the French surrender from the Island on Friday 31 October and Saturday 1 November by means of a re-enactment with the participation of 150 persons.

The event is being organised by the Victoria local council in collaboration with the Historical Re-enactment Group of Malta. Some 150 Maltese, British, Czech, Italian, Russian, German, Dutch, Norwegian and Swedish historical re-enactors will “invade” Victoria and the Citadel during their 24-hour stay.

In a press conference to announce the event, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Mario de Marco pointed out the need for activities of the sort as well as the need for more work to improve the local product.

This was of importance especially because of challenges and difficulties which the world economy was facing. Reminding the public of the soaring oil prices which had caused a number of airlines to close down while others decreased or cancelled a number of routes, Dr de Marco said that in the coming three months, there would be 48 million airline seats less than last year. In the coming year, 83,000 less flights than last year will be operating.

In addition, outbound tourism from the UK and other countries hit by the economic recession, will decrease.

This meant that tourists would be more selective thus, “we must give a very good product as well as good value for money,” Dr de Marco said. He also called for those working in the tourism industry to keep competitive prices and work at innovation.

Meanwhile, he encouraged other local councils to follow the Victoria local council as well as others such as the Vittoriosa local council which organised the ‘Birgu by Candle Light’ event and the Mellieha Local Council which organised ‘Iljieli Mellehin’ in September.

The need for more collaboration and better planning was also pointed out during the press conference. This would lead to better marketed events which could be included in the yearly calendar of events. More work was also needed to market Gozo as a destination in its own right even though tourism in Gozo was on the increase during the past summer.

The 210th Anniversary of the French Surrender in Gozo will be celebrated on Friday 31 October from 6pm onwards as well as on Saturday 1 November from 10.30am to noon. Activities on Friday are to be concentrated at the Citadel where life in that historical period will be re-enacted. The ‘full battle’ leading to the French defeat will be re-enacted on Saturday morning outside the Citadel (starting at it-Tokk).