In my last article, I wrote about the significance of the traditional Christmas and New Year rather than the commercialized version we see today. I have noticed that this was particularly predominant this year where Christmas and New year was just an excuse to run riot after two years of shutdowns and protocols caused by the pandemic. The idea of the real meaning and holiness of Christmas was not even evident – we had loads of Father Christmases, plenty of the freeflowing alchohol and a good helping of food and excessive intake of this. But really, I think we have lost the plot in the preservation, consideration and civic responsibility towards the care of our heritage, history, traditions and character.
Last Wednesday afternoon I decided to cross over to Gozo, quite by chance, under the impression that I would still find the island of tranquility and hospitality that I had come to like over the years. Instead I was faced with an endless line of cars, shops amd hotels that were either shut or empty (I admit that January has always been a quiet time but when we have been indoctrinated with the plans to increase the markets during the shoulder months this shows that somehow we have failed) and the building and development now is taking over the once rural landscape of this island. The restaurants along the Marsalforn harbour, adjacent to the popular hotel there, have been dismantled and were completly in a shambles.
This brings me to my question - what has happened to Gozo? We used to pride ourselves that Gozo was the ideal place for a short break by domestic tourists from Malta; we once promted the “Eco Ghawdex” project as a neccesary LA21 concept. But it seems we have abandoned all these grand ideas and the island has become the poor relation to Malta, instead of the unique and idyllic destination as a retreat and quiet destination for visitors – local and foreign. Obviously we still promote the islands as a day visit for the general tourist, taking them on a four hour joy ride around the island but failing to explain the real history and traditions of the islands. The historic buildings today just serve as a backdrop to the selfie or obligatory photo to show off back home.
We need to rethink our strategy for Gozo as a tourist destination, as a locality with its own indeginous community and as an eco island. We are fast losing this uniqueness and character even on Gozo. It seems the epidemic for development and unethical behaviour by businesses , that has attacked Malta has also devoured Gozo.
This year I will be completing the Guidelines for Stewardships with the help of a number of individuals and NGOs who have already approached me and I hope to present this to you, as the community, to our politicians and to our authorities. We may, yet, be able to save these islands from total oblivion as a sustainable and quality tourist destination – that is my New Year’s resolution. Will YOU join me?
Recommendations and Summary:
1. Let us build community spirit by developing the guidelines for Stewardship together; I invite all those interested to contact me.
2. We should identify areas where we can regenerate local tourism for the quality visitor.
3. Recognize our duty as communities to enhance our environment and care for the precious trees that will add value to our moral, ethical and physical quality of life.
4. Those NGOs and persons (including local councils) interested in working with me on this project should email me on [email protected] or call me on 99167805.
5. Let us get going - let us really build better and reverse the horrendous state of this island.
I sometimes wonder – am I writing for the converted? Are there any other persons who agree or disagree with me? I frequently meet people who read these articles – but these articles are not just there to be read on a lazy Sunday afternoon, they are there to sow the seeds of change from apathy to commitment – to make tourism an activity we can be proud of. Let me know what you think and how you feel about tourism.
Dr Julian Zarb is a researcher, local tourism planning consultant and an Academic at the University of Malta. He has also been appointed as an Expert for the High Streets Task Force in the UK. His main area of research is community-based tourism and local tourism planning using the integrated approach.