The Gozo Tourism Association (GTA) has told the Labour Party that it had never seen such a detailed plan of action for the island, an MLP statement said yesterday.

The Labour Party was reporting on a meeting between representatives of the Gozo association and the party in Gozo.

The MLP quoted the GTA’s Victor Borg as saying that Labour’s plan was one of the most detailed it had ever seen and that it contained a number of proposals that could boost the tourism industry in Gozo.

The MLP said Mr Borg said the situation in Gozo had worsened over the past decade and the product was in decline due to neglect, infrastructural problems and high operational costs.

The GTA told the Labour Party delegation that hotel occupancy levels had done down and tourists were only spending an average of 2.5 nights on the island.

Furthermore, the GTA told the party that restaurant owners were finding it difficult to survive.

With regard to access to the island, the GTA criticised the helicopter service and insisted with the MLP that the island needed an airstrip for a fixed-winged aircraft.

Mr Borg, Labour said, went on to suggest the development of tourist attractions along the Gozo coastline aimed at creating jobs and revenue for the government.

Other members of the GTA suggested the opening of a Gozo office in Brussels to be able to tap EU funds, and the importance of training for Gozitans.

The GTA said it welcomed the Labour Party’s proposals that Gozo has its own regional council and representation on the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD).

Labour leader Alfred Sant said the party believed in Gozo’s potential to succeed and the MLP was committed to boosting the island’s tourism sector.