Gozo Channel statistics show that in the first two quarters of this year, 17,000 fewer passengers travelled to Gozo, compared to the first half of 2008.

Joe Muscat, president of the Gozo Tourism Association, explained that the numbers for the summer period are not expected to look much better.

Apart from fewer bookings, Gozo hotels and farmhouses are experiencing a lot of cancellations due to the swine flu pandemic.

The fact that Gozo saw a large number of infections has disheartened Maltese people from planning a holiday there.

Mr Muscat pointed out, however, that although the number of arrivals decreased, the average length of stay increased from 1.8 per cent to 2.9 per cent.