Initial indications show that summer tourism numbers in Gozo rose over the previous year, Gozo Tourism Association CEO Joe Muscat told the Malta Independent.

“From our indications, it seems Gozo had a successful summer, and that the number of tourists rose when compared to the summer of 2016.”

He noted a shift in accommodation. By this, he meant that the traditional forms of foreign tourist accommodation in Gozo (hotels and farmhouses) now have competition from bed and breakfast accommodation.  

He explained that these are farmhouses and houses of character with around 4-5 bed rooms, where the rooms are rented individually, rather than the whole farmhouse being rented to a group. Breakfast would also be provided. “they are like small hotels with limited rooms. This is a new concept in Gozo and there are around 90 of them on the market.”

“Boutique hotels have also established themselves in the market.”

This has resulted in a spread of tourist accommodation, thus the global increase of tourists in Gozo would not necessarily represent the same increase in hotel stays or farmhouse bed nights.

Regarding restaurants and shops, he said that given the indications of an increase in tourists, the benefits spill over. “Prima facie, restaurants are the first to benefit. Even B&Bs only offer breakfast, so tourists would eat out as they would not have the facility to have a kitchenette, unlike farmhouses or apartments.  It seems restaurants had a busy period.”

Restaurants are no longer simply concentrated in Marsalforn and Xlendi, he said, but are around all of Gozo. “Restaurants are opening to cater for the needs of tourists staying in those localities. Today one sees localities which were not traditionally tourist areas, with tourists strolling through their streets, eating at restaurants, shopping at their mini-markets and commercial establishments etc. Gozo as an island has become a tourist resort, and we no longer just speak of tourist resorts as being  Xlendi or Marsalforn – it spreads around Gozo.”

“While not having official figures, it seems that the summer of 2017 was a good one.”

Turning to Maltese tourists, he said that indications show a rise over the previous year. “When it comes to Maltese tourists, there are certain factors which come into play. For example, having the 8 September feast during the week would not see as many Maltese people come over to Gozo compared to when it falls on a weekend. This year however, it seems Gozo was a popular destination for the Maltese.”

Last July, the Gozo Tourism Association had said that tourists on holiday were terminating their holiday early due to the inconvenience caused by excavation and construction works in the area. On this issue, Mr Muscat said that the association is lobbying with the authorities for there to be no heavy construction, not just no demolition and excavation, in the most popular areas like Marsalforn and Xlendi. “We are not saying that the construction industry should stop in summer, but in the areas with a heavy concentration of accommodation, they should stop from mid-July to mid-September – the two peak months.”

“Abroad we sell Gozo as a quiet destination, where time stood still, and where tourists can have a relaxing holiday, and then some come here and find ongoing construction next to their accommodation, ruining their relaxation. Again, we are not saying stop construction in summer all over Gozo, but it needs to be minimised in popular areas.”

Turning to the seasonality of Gozo, he explained that Gozo is seasonal, “but the season is extending slowly. While summer used to end this month, we can say that October is still a busy period, and even the first week of November usually is. November to January are considered to be the hard months. Then February comes along when there are a number of feasts, normally including carnival, which brings Maltese tourists.”

Gozo depends on the Maltese market during winter, he said, but various niches are slowly being advertised abroad. He spoke about “Bethlehem in Ghajnsielem as well as the operas in Gozo, which are crowd pullers not just for Maltese, but also for foreigners.”

“Over the past years, Gozo is being promoted as a year-round destination, and it is not only being promoted as an island of sun, sea and beaches. Other aspects are being promoted including cultural ones as well as events such as the International Food Festival in Xewkija and other thematic festivals during the winter months..”

He said that activities are being organised in winter which attract tourists, including ones organised by government, and others by voluntary organisations.

Gozo Business Chamber President Joseph Grech told this newsroom that there was a very good turnout of tourists, but he does not have any figures as of yet. “Indications show however, that it was a good season overall.”

At this time of year tourist numbers are still high, but things tend to start slowing down when schools starts, he said.