The Ministry for Gozo recently organised an international conference on ‘improving the tourism offer in rural regions’ as part of an EU programme. The conference highlighted the need for specific programmes for rural areas, especially new ideas with regard to accommodation, but failed to identify exactly what is being done in Gozo in this regard beyond the usual rhetoric of Eco Gozo,
There is no doubt that the whole concept of Eco Gozo is in itself a very positive concept and certainly one that has brought more financing to Gozo. However, I have great doubts on how some of that financing has been spent. In any case, more investment in Gozo is certainly something very positive.
Two very positive presentations about improvements in Gozo came in fact from entities outside the Ministry. The first was a presentation on the research and innovative centre in agriculture run by the University of Malta [with the collaboration of the Ministry] that will give a highly specialised research centre for Gozo. Agriculture remains, with tourism, one of the main pillars of Gozo’s economy even though only 316 of the more than 3,000 farmers are in fact full time. The land given to agriculture in Gozo is quite high, close to 50 per cent but land given to forestry is less than one per cent. Clearly, there is a lot that still needs to be done.
The second presentation was made by the Baron Group, and it was so good to see how private investors are not only investing in the normal ‘renovated farmhouse’ concept of tourism in Gozo, a very well established niche, but going far beyond what one normally expects of such structures. In fact, the Baron Group offers a wide range of experiences to tourists that make use of their self accommodation villas and, at the same time, investing substantially in energy saving and renewable energy elements in what they do.
At the moment Gozo is a big building site, as its main roads are being rebuilt. A substantial investment of EU funds has gone into these roads. Some of what is being done does not make sense for Gozo, but certainly the investment is very much welcome in an economy that is at the moment very slow.
What is extremely worrying however is that not enough studies have been made of what makes Gozo special. I see what is happening as a slow destruction of what makes Gozo unique and a move towards making Gozo just another small part of Malta. If Gozo is to survive as a distinct tourist destination and one that also appeals to the Maltese trying to recreate a more relaxed lifestyle, then we need to protect Gozo in a stronger way. We need to understand fully what makes Gozo unique and protect what makes it unique.
To start with, there is a need for stronger development control. We have destroyed the village ambiance completely. Village centres have been transformed from two level structures to anything up to four. One arrives at Mgarr harbour to look up at a Sliema front scenario rather than the Gozo scenario as we knew it. Immediately opposite, streets protected as urban conservation areas UCAs) higher buildings are being allowed that dominate over the UCAs. The result is hundreds and hundreds of apartments that are left unfinished or waiting to be sold. The supply far exceeds the demand.
On the other hand traditional houses are not being protected. I am certainly not against modernisation of some structures but so many old houses have been pulled down everywhere. Not enough protection is given to specific architecture features of traditional houses such as the arched loggia at first floor level. There are certain features that should be protected sine qua non.
It is good to see that public areas are being revamped though too many trees have been destroyed. But again, we need to be careful to protect what makes Gozo unique. The village squares need particular attention, away from the paving mania of Malta. Of major concern are the proposals for It-Tokk where Gozo’s main square will lose all sense of its historic importance. The same can be said for the proposals regarding the entrance to the Cittadella. One applauds the proposal to remove cars and repave the Castle but the proposals made, applauded almost by everyone, will make this city, an extremely special city, lose its authentic historic feel. The Cittadella must be conserved not modernised.
Gozo is a unique, special corner of Malta. It needs very strong protection. Its tourism can be developed much more but this must be done in a very respectful way. Gozo should and could attract high spending tourists but this can only happen if it does not lose what makes it special. It is good to see so much investment but this should be done in an integrated way that protects Gozo’s uniqueness. Gozo is not a museum and must not be treated as such but one can still bring about changes without destroying its authenticity.