Similar to other islands around the world, Gozo relies extensively, though not exclusively, on tourism to generate employment and economic growth. However, most islands tend to suffer from seasonal tourism and this can cause problems during the shoulder months. Yet, a well-managed strategy, marketing, incentives and a combination of activities focusing on a myriad of interests can provide a perfect melange to maintain tourism flows throughout the whole year, particularly on an island which, fortunately tends to have good weather practically all year long.
This is what the Ministry for Gozo is successfully working on: creating and incentivising events which encourage people to visit the island by organising activities in different sectors: music, art, sports, culture, nature, apart from the usual attraction of the three Ss: sun, sea and sand.
Perhaps the biggest achievement over the last three years has been the ability to increase not only the number of tourists, which went over one million in 2015, and to increase the number of bed nights, which has also jumped the one million mark; but the biggest satisfaction is seeing tourist establishments open all year round, and not closing down in the winter months. This the Ministry managed to do with the collaboration of several entities; Gozo Channel and the reduced fare incentives; the support of MTA, GTA, GBC, Transport Malta and other Ministries; and the different organizers who together planned several cultural and sports events, and the many volunteers who make such events possible. We are proud to have accomplished this together.
This weekend, there are two big attractions: the fireworks festival and the opera. These are bound to attract two different types of tourists. The fireworks festival held yesterday in Xagħra attracts those enthusiasts who marvel at the techniques and spectacular shows such an event can bring to the evening skies. Transport Malta provided a shuttle bus service which went directly from Mgarr to Xagħra so that there would be fewer problems of cars and parking for this event. This service, which was aimed to reduce congestion in Mgarr, was also available after the festival ended.
Also yesterday, Aurora Theatre offered those eager for a different type of evening the opera Il Barbiere de Siviglia. Rossini fans are more than enthralled by this masterpiece which has continued to entertain audiences, even though its premiere was held 200 years ago.
There are other niche markets that Gozo is working on: cruise liners and sports. This weekend opens up the 2016 season for cruise liners and in fact yesterday we had the first liner for this year. Last year, 18 cruise liners stopped in Gozo, with a record number of passengers coming ashore to visit the island. This stop offers the almost 10,000 passengers only a glimpse of what Gozo has to offer, but it also acts as a showcase for longer sojourns for these day-trippers. During 2016, weather permitting, there are 26 cruise liners scheduled to make a stop in Gozo.
For the second year running, the Gozo Sports Board, together with Sport Malta and the Ministry for Gozo will be organizing the Gozo Sports Awards, a tribute to celebrate Gozitan Athletes of 2015. The event will be held at Villa Fiorita on 30 April. For the first time there will be a special prize for the best athlete with special abilities. Sports is one significant area which can be positively inclusive. Sports tourism is something the Ministry is working on to encourage, for example, nurseries to conduct their training in Gozo. Last year the Sports Festival was restricted to one weekend, but this year the festival is being spread over four weeks, from 16 April to 8 May. This is aimed to promote a healthy competitive environment for Gozitan and Maltese athletes. A seminar organized by Sport Malta launched this event at the Gozo Sports Complex, which is being given a face-lift. The parquet floor has already been changed, and in the coming months the spectators’ gallery and the seating area will be refurbished.
In collaboration with the entrepreneurs in Gozo and the many societies and organizations which work to create a more vivid and varied activities calendar, we can together manage to bring about a change in the way that tourism has up to now been viewed. Gozo is often seen as traditional, but I believe that our enthusiasm to continue to develop our economy in these niche markets and to see our economy grow positively is very modern.
Dr Refalo is Minister for Gozo