I read Stephen Calleja’s opinion entitled “Gozo losing out to low cost carriers” with dismay and incredulity (TMIS, 17 June).

Mr Calleja’s whole argument was that it is cheaper to visit Europe, such as Tuscany, flying on low cost airlines, for a week, than a weekend break in Gozo. This statement is very far from being credible.

We all agree that Gozo’s tourism industry did not have the same level of support that was extended to low cost carriers. At least Mr Calleja’s opinion piece got its title bang on. Very few seem to be aware that for every tourist arrival in Malta, low cost airlines get a hefty direct subsidy that has cost Maltese coffers approximately €37.8 million. Now compare that to the meagre five hundred thousand euro budget given to the Gozo Tourism Directorate. This, in my opinion, is why Gozo is losing out to low cost carriers and other destinations. The LCC subsidy has dealt a blow to internal tourism to Gozo and no mitigating measures were ever considered, despite repeated pleas; in fact, adding insult to injury, the public service obligation that had previously supported the Gozo channel service was drastically cut, even though we are aware of existing subsidies, accepted by the EU for other islands such as the Hebridean and Northern Isles, which service is run by state-owned operators.

However, the cost of the air ticket is a small fraction of the holiday budget. Many of us have stayed in a ‘locanda’ or ‘agritourismo’ in Tuscany and we all know that prices are not cheap unless one goes for a pigeonhole in a remote place, especially in peak season. Also, getting to the rented place would mean transport expenses. Nowadays, most opt to rent a car, which does not come cheap and is usually more expensive than the air ticket. If one opts for public transport, it will probably turn out to be more expensive with the need for taxi trips.

Eating out abroad may be cheaper than here and nobody would argue that the Italian gastronomic choices are consistently superior at reasonable prices. However, to imply that eating out in Gozo is more expensive than Malta is a definite lie, aimed at harming our small tourism industry. In fact, in Gozo one can eat out at far lower prices than in Malta and to vouch for that Mr Calleja can organise a vox pop on a Sunday afternoon at Mġarr harbour. The myth of separate menus is as credible as Mr Calleja’s hand-on-heart plea that his opinion was meant for Gozo’s well being.

It is very unfair and patronising to blame Gozo’s problems on Gozitans overcharging. Although, like in any other place on earth, abuse exists, Gozo’s problems are far deeper than that very simplistic analysis. The lack of central investment coupled with obstacles put in the path of private investors in the last couple of decades have led to a constant haemorrhage of our youth with the consequent brain and skill drain. Young Gozitans couples are setting up home in Malta due to lack of jobs in Gozo. Buying the first property in Malta usually means that most end up settling for good in Malta, thus contributing to the shrinking population of Gozo with the proportional effect on its economy. It’s no surprise that the dependency ratio in Gozo is gradually rising.

GonziPN boasts of the low unemployment rate of around six per cent but hide the fact that the employment rate in Gozo is the lowest in Europe at around 48 per cent and that over the last four years, according to official figures, over 1,500 had to emigrate to pastures new. The latter figure does not include the unofficial emigration as lots of Gozitan families still have members of their extended families in US, Canada or Australia who offer a helping hand. The emigration factor is distorting the actual picture in Gozo and thus saving blushes. These are the real problems we Gozitans are facing and definitely not the said ‘overcharging’.

After all, the Gozo farmhouses rental industry is still a healthy one due to quality accommodations in unique sites. The quoted lack of haggling and take it or leave it attitude implies that the demand is far higher than supply, even though I don’t think one can haggle over prices in Tuscany either. The market dictates prices.

As to the permanent link, apart from abolishing the double insularity and thus offering the same opportunities to Gozitans in education, work and health services, it will not ruin Gozo. This is another myth. Villages like Qrendi, Ħal Safi, Kirkop and Mġarr, just to mention a few, have retained their character all these years and the crux of the issue is to rationalise development in a sustainable manner. Gozo is no crib for the Maltese. Mr Calleja is apparently another firm believer that Gozo should be left as is; Gozitans should not have a decent return on their investment or maybe they should live on charity.

However, at least Mr Calleja was honest enough to admit that he has not visited Gozo for some time and his opinion is based on an impression from a distance, friends’ opinions or some online research. I invite Mr Calleja to visit us once more, maybe after the road works have been completed, and I’m sure that he will dedicate another column with a more positive outlook on our precious island.