The Gozo Tourism Association (GTA) has received mixed reactions regarding this year’s turnout of Maltese “tourists” visiting Gozo during the holiday season coinciding with the feast of Santa Marija, which was celebrated on Tuesday.

GTA secretary Joe Muscat told The Malta Independent that some operators in the accommodation sector reported that they had been fully-booked, while there had still been vacancies in other hotels and farmhouses.

Likewise, the catering sector also reported mixed reactions. According to Mr Muscat, some restaurants said that business had been at the same level as last year, while others reported a reduction in the number of patrons. He said that it is still too early to identify the number of Maltese tourists compared to foreign tourists visiting Malta’s sister island.

Mr Muscat explained that the number of Gozo Channel passengers does not necessarily have a direct impact on tourism. “We have to accept the reality that more and more Maltese now own property in Gozo, but these ‘tourists’ may have a multiplier effect on other services,” he said.

The same goes for people who choose to rent farmhouses during their stay in Gozo, who may very well decide to buy foodstuffs from supermarkets and cook their own meals. “However, it cannot be excluded that people sometimes prefer to enjoy their holiday to the full by eating out,” Mr Muscat added.

The association secretary said that this time of year is always the peak of the tourism industry in Gozo and the trend has shown that the entire week will be a positive one for operators.

Although the last week of August is normally characterised by a slight decrease, Mr Muscat said that the high season is expected to last till mid-September. He explained that the aim is to extend the high season as much as possible by continuing to offer quality, in order to cover the expenses involved in the industry.