Gozo Channel has had its most successful year ever and as a result more incentive schemes have been launched, including free trips for all Kartanzjan holders starting from tomorrow, Investments, Industry and IT Minister Austin Gatt announced yesterday at a press conference.
In all an expenditure of Lm230,000 (EUR535,500) will be invested in new initiatives for Gozo this year, Dr Gatt said.
Over the last year between 2006 and 2007, trips between the islands have increased by three per cent, the number of passengers increased by 8.1 per cent and the number of cars and cargo has increased by 10.1 per cent, the minister said.
Gozo Channel ferries have transported a record number of over one million cars.
Minister Gatt said that this year the “Let’s go to Gozo” scheme will start one month earlier, that is, from 1 November instead of December.
The marketing budget allocated for Gozo Channel will increase by Lm30,000 to Lm50,000. Lm20,000 will cater for magazine advertising while the other Lm30,000 will be used for local advertising.
No fees will be paid this year by the hotels and restaurants participating in the Gozo Channel schemes. Until last year, these hotels and restaurants had to pay Lm75 to participate, the minister said.
Starting from this year, two people spending two consecutive nights in one of these hotels, will receive two passenger tickets and one car ticket free while one person spending two nights will receive one free passenger ticket. These are redeemable only during the winter season.
He said that the profit projected for the year 2006-2007, is Lm750,000 while for 2004-2005 it was Lm271, 250 and for 2005-2006 it was Lm282,011.
The minister said that the normal rate per passenger would be Lm2 whereas with the “Let’s go to Gozo” scheme the fare is reduced to 60 cents. The normal rate per vehicle is Lm6.75 whereas with the scheme the rate is Lm3.60.
Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono said that these incentives show the government’s true consideration for Gozo, as they stand apart from the 20 measures dedicated to Gozo in Budget 2008.
The policy of this government have always ensured that the Maltese and foreigners support and are brought closer to Gozo, without these schemes, Gozo would not have seen an increase in tourism.
She also expressed her dismay that the Labour Party spokesperson for Gozo, Anton Refalo, had not addressed the tourism, health and education sectors in Gozo yesterday morning in parliament. True Gozitans always took these aspects to heart when speaking about the island, she said.
Gozo Tourism Association secretary Joe Muscat said that in the period between January and August there was an increase of 6,000 visitors to Gozo and the number of night stays in Gozo increased by 21,000. The highest increase registered was for February, March and May, Mr Muscat said.