Network Publications Ltd has presented a copy of the first issue of the magazine Let’s Gozo to Giovanna Debono, Gozo Minister yesterday morning.
The magazine is the latest initiative to promote tourism to Gozo. It will be published monthly by Network Publications Ltd in collaboration with the Gozo Tourism Association, the Gozo Ministry and Gozo Channel Co. Ltd.
The lifestyle magazine will be distributed free in Malta in a bid to entice visitors to the island all year round.
Speaking during the launch, the minister said the publication of Let’s Gozo falls squarely in line with the government’s initiatives and strategy to promote Gozo as a distinct destination during all months of the year, with particular focus on boosting tourism during the off-peak season.
Minister Debono said that besides supporting the publication of Let’s Gozo, the Ministry for Gozo has also manufactured five large format billboards, for use by the Gozo Tourism Association, to be displayed in strategic locations in Malta to promote visits to Gozo.
These are being complemented by schemes currently on offer to target more visitors to Gozo such as the Gozo Channel Immorru Ghawdex campaign, and the specific Gozo-oriented marketing initiatives carried out internationally by the Malta Tourism Authority.
Minister Debono said that the contribution that domestic tourism pays to Gozo’s economy cannot be underestimated, with 50 per cent of all tourist arrivals in hotels and guesthouses in Gozo (excluding self-catering accomodation) coming from the domestic market, while the island’s seasonality can be partially countered by an increase of more tourists on short but frequent breaks to Gozo during the off-peak season.
The government has identified internal tourism as one with further potential for growth and it is also in this context that marketing initiatives are being undertaken to further boost the amount of visitors to Gozo.
Minister Debono said the government is adopting a holistic approach to assist the tourism industry in Gozo, with efforts to improve the tourism product through projects such as the Niche Tourism Project for the Island of Gozo (targeting the diving industry), and upgrading projects such as those at the Museum of Archaeology at the Citadel, the new tourism training facility in Qala, the Villa Rundle and the ¯ewwieqa waterfront projects and the upgrading of the main arterial road network across the island.