Tourism contributed to almost 50 per cent of Gozo’s GDP in 2014 with holidaymakers spending €180 million, Gozo Minister Anton Refalo said today during a visit to the Gozitano complex in Xewkija.

Dr Refalo said Gozo should not merely regarded as an annex to Malta but should be its own distinct and unique destination.

June alone witnessed a 15 per cent increase in tourism when compared to the previous year.

He said that of the 6,900 employees working in the private sector, 30 per cent work in the tourism sector.

A marketing campaign on Trip Advisor and Travel Zoo was launched in order to attract more tourists to Gozo, he said.

Dr Refalo emphasised the importance of the government attracting foreign direct investment to the island which will create more jobs in the private sector.

Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis said the government is fully committed to Gozo and promoting it as a distinct destination.