Figures released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) for tourist arrivals and bed nights for January to October 2007 indicate that last year was the best in years for Gozo.

Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono told the Gozo Tourism Association’s (GTA) annual general meeting that according to figures released by the NSO for the 10-month period January-October 2007 when compared to the same period in 2003, Gozo registered an increase of 11,300 tourists and an increase of 20,200 bed nights.

These figures are considered to be conservative since they only include data from hotels and guesthouses and exclude activity within the equally important self-catering segment. January to October 2007 registered the highest figures for the same 10-month period not only when compared to 2003, but also when compared to 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Minister Debono said that such figures prove that Government’s investment in the tourism industry, together with the synergy created with the GTA, is yielding positive results. Government acknowledged and addressed the particular needs of the tourism industry on Gozo with an important and strategic policy of treating and marketing Gozo as a distinct tourist destination all year round.

Minister Debono spoke about several initiatives that helped increase both domestic tourism arrivals and the number of nights spent, including the introduction of the popular Let’s Gozo magazine, the several Gozo Channel Co Ltd schemes, and the Gozo Attractions Incentive Scheme launched through a collaboration of the Ministry for Gozo and the Ministry of Finance to financially assist the organisation of cultural and entertainment events.