As we live in a fast moving world with things constantly changing around us, we often struggle to keep pace with these changes.
Our fast daily routine tends to make us take things for granted. It also makes us ignore things that are considered irrelevant. Very often, small things, which when taken into isolation might appear of little value, assume far greater importance when put together.
The difference between success and failure is often small. Having the ability and being in a position to realise this fact can make the whole difference. Possessing the stamina to persist in doing the small and humble things leads to success, but it is easier said than done. It is not that easy. Having an aim and slowly working towards it requires strong character. It requires great patience to persist and a very clear vision that serves as a guide. People holding public office must be receptive to the needs of the people around them especially the many that have a genuine interest.
Other options exist. The alternative is to constantly go for short-term glory for what is temporarily demanded and desired without looking at the long-term. It is a road that attracts many. Opting for the least attractive of paths, however, provides sustainability. It is like a tree that requires a lot of attention but will give good fruit when the time comes.
Gozo is taking that road. As an administration we could have opted for flashy but short-term solutions to the problems we faced on taken office. Instead, we sought not to tackle the symptoms but instead looked to tackle what cause them. The lower employment rate was the effect of various other things. It was the result of lower demand from tourism, from a lack of diversification, from a skill mismatch.
These could not be tackled in a few weeks or months. We started by boosting internal tourism through new and sustainable pricing policy adopted by Gozo Channel. We started a new venture in medical tourism and sectors that a few years ago where considered as being impossible to attract to Gozo. One of them is the ICT sector. We also looked at the labour market and offered training opportunities to those that needed to upgrade their skills.
We launched one of the most ambitious campaigns to clean the island and give a few facelift to the areas most frequented by both local and foreign visitors. Marsalforn and Xlendi have been given a new span of life. The roads linking the villages were resurfaced and today Gozo’s main infrastructure is much better than when we found it. These are all small steps that contributed to the healthy performance of the tourism industry.
Last month, we also announced a new museum, which is expected to cost around €5 million and which will be housed in an iconic piece of modernist architecture designed in the 1950s by architect Joseph Huntingford. It will certainly complement Victoria’s already small cluster of museums dedicated to folklore, archaeology and natural history.
The latest example of this strategy of going through short-term pain to ensure a more rosy and sustainable future, is the work that was carried out at the Cittadella. In the past few weeks, I had occasion to write and explain the process that was employed. While we can share the frustration of many during the long weeks and months of the restoration, we now can look with a certain degree of pride on this achievement.
The benefit will not be solely related to the fact that we have rediscovered something that was underutilized. It will give great value added to the tourism sector. An already splendid asset has been turned into a magnificent one. Without a doubt, we now have a monument that can match any in the world.
All these required maximum efforts from a lot of people. They required persistence and stamina to move forward even in the face of difficulties. But now the results are becoming more visible. An enhanced Gozo will be more attractive both for day visitors as well as for longer term business. This means more investment and employment opportunities.
Dr Refalo is Minister for Gozo