While demand for accommodation in Gozo by Maltese nationals was high over the festive season, the economic effects of Covid-19 are still being felt, CEO of the Gozo Tourism Association (GTA) Joe Muscat told The Malta Independent.

Reduced restaurant capacity, consumer scepticism and the inability to hold group events as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic impacted Gozo's economic situation over the festive season, he said.

The pandemic has made people think twice about going out, and has also resulted in a number of restrictions being imposed in order to protect people from the virus and reduce its chance of spreading.

"Even though there were quite a number of Maltese people who crossed the channel between Malta and Gozo, the fact is that locals (Gozitans) are a bit sceptical about going out to restaurants to eat. Reduced restaurant capacity is a crucial factor as well. Furthermore, group parties were heavily affected due to restrictions." 

In particular, Muscat noted that restaurant capacity was perhaps the most critical factor in all of this, as due to restrictions with the protocols from the health authorities to minimise the spread of Covid-19, restaurants could not operate to their full capacity.

"One cannot underestimate the effect that the reduction in restaurant capacity - due to the distancing between tables - has had."

Furthermore Muscat said that, in terms of the number of Maltese heading over to Gozo for the holidays, it was on par with previous years, however general tourism activity declined. "We can't say that the situation is the same as it was in previous years. Definitely not. More so when before a lot of staff parties used to take place, and these obviously did not happen, for example." 

Muscat was also asked what he thinks the end-of-year celebrations will look like. On a positive note, Muscat said that there will be more local economic circulation as Maltese are booking accommodation in Gozo given that it has proven to be difficult to travel abroad during this crucial point of the pandemic.

"What is sure to be different is the number of guests coming from Malta, which created a high demand in Gozitan accommodation. This is a certain fact. We were feeling it during these past weeks; it was a high demand," Muscat remarked.

He said that, statistically speaking, in the first nine months of this year Gozo's domestic market - that is locals spending more in local accommodation - increased.

It follows pretty much the same prediction scenario that the GTA had for the past summer, where more Maltese were expected but that there would be a lack of foreigners.

Nevertheless, Muscat noted that even though there was a high demand for accommodation in Gozo by Maltese during the festive season, it still does not compensate for the fact that Gozo has lost a lot in terms of international tourism. 

"Even though the Maltese demand in Gozo increased, it does not compensate for the loss we faced from the international market. No way. However, the fact that Maltese were restricted in terms of going abroad, Gozo became, by default, the option to take a break or a holiday for them."