The importance of tourism for Gozo can never be highlighted enough. It is the main catalyst for the local economy, without which the catering and retail activities would ground. It also provides an important source of jobs in a region which is all but dynamic in terms of employment opportunities. Despite its vital importance, tourism in Gozo is treated with a severe lack of vision and responsibility

When discussing tourism in Gozo, one has to keep firmly in sight some salient points, on which one hopes a solid platform for discussion can be built. The first of such observations is the heavy reliance on internal tourism or what Gozitans commonly refer to as ‘Maltin’. This dependence is common knowledge and considered by almost everyone as a ‘natural order of things’.

However, such attitude might blur a proper analysis of the sector. Indeed, the extent of such dependence is rendered clearer if one is patient enough to look at official data. According to the national office of statistics, in 2010 the number of non-resident arrivals in Gozo amounted to 33,379 while resident arrivals amounted to 38,403. In other words, Maltese visitors to Gozo represented more than half of all tourist arrivals in Gozo. This is not surprising given the fact that only 3% of the total tourist arrivals in the Maltese islands choose Gozo as their destination.

The structural shortcomings are also evident from the average length of stay. Data shows that in 2008, the average length of stay in Malta was 6.7 nights while in Gozo it was only 3.8 nights. This is due to both a shorter length of stay of residents and non-residents: the average length of stay for non-residents was 5.3 nights and for residents 2.1 nights compared to 7.1 nights and 2.4 nights respectively for Malta. Another important consideration is the fact that the level of occupancy by non-residents in Gozo is lower than that in Malta. Indeed, average occupancy by non-residents in Gozo averaged 32%, which is a marked 20 percentage points lower than that registered in the Main Island. This shows the extent to which the Island of Gozo is failing to fully benefit from the opportunities offered by tourism.

Seasonality in Gozo is another factor that merits attention, with around 47% of total arrivals in Gozo taking place during the four summer months compared to around 43% in the Main Island. Taking the non-residents arrivals, the seasonality is more severe, with the ratio increasing to over 52%.

To those familiar with Gozo, such figures came across as no big surprise. People in tourism have probably known this for ages and I am sure have mentioned them to the authorities on numerous occasions. On the other hand, government spokespersons might question the accuracy of such figures, pointing to a lack of data in that a considerable amount of day-trippers adds to number of visitors to the island. But this again highlights the lack of seriousness of the present administration in this regard.

The lacuna in data is evident from the fact that officially the number of establishments in Gozo amounts to 16, nine of which are hotels with the remaining consisting of guesthouses, apart-hotels, and hostels. According to official figures, these provided around 832 bedrooms and around 1,700 bed-places. Out of the 832 bedrooms, 205 were served by 5-Star Hotels and a further 446 by 4-Star Hotels. It is evident that this is an underestimation as these figures do not take into account the considerable number of farmhouses and townhouses, scattered around the Island.

The sluggish performance of tourism in Gozo during 2011 confirms the inability to overcome the shortcomings which have unfortunately become endemic. A recent survey conducted by the Gozo Tourism Association (GTA) among its members found that half of the respondents termed the performance of their establishment during the second quarter of the year as ‘bad’, while 30% qualified their business performance as ‘fair.’ Few establishments, representing 2% of those who replied, declared that the first quarter’s performance was ‘very good’, while the remaining 20% stated that their business was ‘good’. When asked how the business performed during the second quarter of 2011 when compared to the second quarter of 2010, 62% of the respondents classified their business performance as less than last year’s, while 28% declared that the establishments’ performance was on the same footing of 2010. 12% declared that the going for April to June 2011 quarter, was in fact ‘better’.

A similar study, this time published by the Gozo Business Chamber, confirmed the inadequate demand currently in existence in Gozo. In fact, only 31% of the business said they are operating at a profit. A straightforward explanation for this unsustainable situation is given in the same survey which states that business carried out by Maltese visitors and tourists amounted to only 34% compared to 41% registered a year earlier.

These figures are even more worrying if viewed in the context of the rather good performance in tourism arrivals, at least in terms of arrivals, registered in Malta during this year. This means that even when Malta is enjoying increasing tourist arrivals, Gozo is failing behind and proving unable to benefit from it.

Those having a keener eye for details would also find this sluggish performance rather ironic given that in the last year and a half the Ministry for Gozo has entered into an agreement with the Gozo Tourism Association, through which it will be providing direct financial support for GTA to employ a CEO on a full-time basis paying him over €160,000 over five years. This over and above a yearly €30,000 salary package offered to the Director for Tourism in the Ministry for Gozo, a position which was created last year.

Maybe those responsible for this mess think that shortcomings can be sorted out by creating more high level posts in the ever increasing bureaucratic structure, while ignoring the daily bread and butter issues. They might also think that Gozo can be rendered more attractive to tourists by putting some flowers and ‘art structures’ in roundabouts while neglecting what makes Gozo distinctive. Such an attitude will not help. Unfortunately until all the stakeholders release this and make it clear to everyone, such attitudes will continue to prevail to the deterrence of all.

Anton Refalo is Labour spokesman for Gozo