The Gozo Tourism Association held its 16th Annual General Meeting last week.
The agenda of the Annual General Meeting included an address by the chairman of the association, Paul Scicluna, the administrative report by the Chief Executive Officer Joe Muscat, and the financial report by the Treasurer Joe Muscat Sammut. The meeting was also addressed by the Minister for Gozo, Dr. Anton Refalo, Antoine Borg, Opposition Spokesman for Tourism, and Paul Bugeja CEO Malta Tourism Authority.
The first part of the Annual General Meeting, also included a discussion with the participation of six Gozitan tourism establishment operators and led by TVM journalist Ruth Amaira
In his opening address, the GTA chairman Paul Scicluna said that during 2014 Gozo experienced an increase in tourist arrivals compared to 2013. Mr Scicluna stressed the fact that the authorities concerned need to address the particular challenges faced by the Gozitan tourism sector; in particular by strengthening tourism niches and specialised niches that can attract more tourists in the lean and shoulder months, as well as opening horizons to other markets. In his welcome speech, he mentioned accessibility to the Island and stated that GTA is in favour of more accessibility especially by an airlink, as well as the upkeep of the tourism product. The GTA chairman stated that the regionality and rurality of Gozo should be taken into consideration when schemes for touristic improvements are launched.
The GTA's Chief Executive Officer, Joe Muscat, delivered a presentation on the administration of the association during 2014. He gave an overview of the Gozitan touristic performance during last year. In his presentation Mr Muscat gave a detailed report of the work and initiatives undertaken by the association during the course of the year 2014.
Nationalist Party Spokesman for Tourism Antoine Borg also addressed the AGM and said that this is the first opportunity for him to address the Annual General Meeting of the Gozo Tourism Association. He attributed the increase in tourist arrivals both in Malta and in Gozo, to the sound foundations laid in previous years. However, he stressed that no divide exists between Government and Opposition with regards to tourism.
The conference was also addressed by the CEO of the Malta Tourism Authority Paul Bugeja.
Minister for Gozo, Dr. Anton Refalo, stated that once again Gozo registered an increase in tourist arrivals in 2014 when compared to 2013, underlining an increase in the average length of stay of the domestic market which reached 2.3 nights. Minister Refalo stated that these increases were also the result of several initiatives taken by the Ministry for Gozo during 2014, such as the programme of
events for the Holy week and the Christmas month, including Bethlehem f'Għajnsielem. Dr. Refalo confirmed that increases were also registered in international tourism, and were mainly the result of more marketing efforts during 2014, which included participation in international tourism fairs, updating of website www.islandofgozo.org and a number of promotional publications.
Minister Refalo said that the above initiatives were carried out through a synergized approach with the tourism stakeholders, namely the Malta Tourism Authority and the Gozo Tourism Association. The Gozitan tourism product was also enhanced through several interventions in the upgrading of various tourist attractions, embellishment of central strips and roundabouts and the re-opening of one of the main cinemas in Gozo.
The Minister for Gozo made reference to the Film Production 'By The Sea', which was a golden promotional opportunity to showcase Gozo globally. The positive feedback received from celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt during their stay in Gozo, is ample proof that the island has the potential to host high end clients.
Finally Minister Refalo stated that although 2014 was a positive year for tourism in Gozo, there are still challenges that need to be tackled during this current year as well as during the immediate future. Destination Gozo needs to sustain its current tourist arrivals, both foreign and domestic, while improving the island's infrastructure in order to offer a better product to meet the tourists' expectations. Minister Refalo mentioned that as from next year Hospitality will be introduced as a new subject in secondary schools. This will encourage students to take up a career in the hospitality industry.
During this AGM the GTA council for 2015 was formed and is made up of the following members: Borg Monica (Hotel ta' Ċenċ), Busuttil Mark (St. Andrews Divers Cove), Caruana Brian (Cornocopia Hotel), Cassar Chris (Porto Vecchio Restaurant), Gatt Ludgard (Tamarisk Properties), Hormigo Alberto (Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz), Loporto Mario (Gozo Village Holidays), Meilak Brian (Baron Group), Mercieca Joseph (Country Terrace Restaurant) Muscat Sammut Joseph (Down Town Hotel), Rapa Joe (Ta' Salvina Restaurant), Scicluna Paul (Gozo Farmhouses), Spiteri Pauline (Mario's Rent-a-car), Spiteri Philip (Il-Kartell Restaurant), and Veranneman Amand (Chez Amand).