An economic impact assessment on a cruise liner buoy in Gozo is currently underway, Gozo Minister Justyne Caruana announced in Parliament.

She said that currently, cruise liners pay no tax landing in Gozo, and said that the buoy would change things. The minister was delivering her intervention during the Malta tourism Authority estimates for 2018.

Back in April 2017, Gozo Minister Anton Refalo had said that a larger buoy for cruise liners in Xlendi will not be ready until halfway through 2018, however given that the impact assessment is still underway, it seems that this project suffered certain delays.

Refalo in April 2017, had tabled some information in Parliament, which showed that the whole project will cost a total of €1.56 million. Of this amount, €190,250 will be spent on studies, technical surveys and tests, €105,400 will be spent on professional services and project supervision, €1,145,000 will be spent on manufacturing and installation of the buoy, and €120,000 will be spent on the maintenance contract and on a five-year certification.

In fact, the buoy had even been mentioned in the 2016 budget. In the 2016 budget, the following can be read: “A cruise liner buoy in Xlendi: Studies are being carried out jointly by the Ministry for Transport and Infrastructure and the Ministry for Gozo regarding a new buoy which is needed to replace the existing one in Xlendi. These studies are at an advanced stage and include careful consideration of the preservation of the natural habitat and archaeological remains on the sea bed.” 

The minister also spoke about inviting foreign journalists to Gozo in order to promote Gozo abroad. The minister also mentioned record tourism activity in Gozo last year, and that over 20 cruise liners made port in Gozo in 2017.