Work is continuing for Gozo to be an all-season destination, Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri indicated during an MCESD meeting which discussed the perspective for Gozo in Malta Vision 2050.
The Minister for Gozo stated that the government wanted tourism to increase, but commented that this should be done when it suits the island, with a focus on the shoulder months. He continued that the government has been working on this vision through cultural activities so that there was an increase where needed. He said that in seasonal terms, the largest increase in 2024 was during the first quarter of the year, the winter season, where there was an increase of 43%. He said that this is indicative of the work being done to attract visitors even outside of the summer season, as he continued that Gozo saw an increase of 18% in tourism during the spring season, while the autumn season saw an increase of 32%. With that said, he commented that the summer season remained stable with a small increase of 0.4%, which he said is a positive sign of balance and a reduction in dependency on one season.
Camilleri said that Malta Vision 2050 continues to build on the 'Gozo: Island of Villages' strategy which was launched two years ago. The Ministry for Gozo said that this vision is being developed in collaboration with various stakeholders and sectors, with an emphasis on strengthening connectivity and the economic and tourism development of the island.
The minister spoke of major advances in connectivity, making mention of improvements to the Gozo Channel services, the introduction of the fast ferry, and the agreement on adapted timetables. He also stated that work on the rural airfield will begin in the coming weeks, which he said is a step will further grow the economy and retain young people on Gozo.
Parliamentary Secretary for Social Dialogue Andy Ellul spoke of the importance of open and inclusive dialogue as a foundation for the country's progress and success. He said that there is clear evidence that success is achieved when there is sincere, structured, and continuous dialogue with a wide range of social partners. He said that the MCESD meeting was a living testimony to this spirit of collaboration, as he remarked that there is "a high level of activism and substantial contribution from all parties involved".
Ellul said that Malta VIsion 2050 is not only being designed with a sense of responsibility and inclusiveness, but also with the goal to build a future that serves everyone, including future generations.
The Head of the Secretariat of the Office of the Prime Minister, Mark Mallia, said that the government is committed to implementing Malta Vision 2050, and added that there will be a unit focused on its implementation within the OPM, that being the 'Vision Implementation Unit'.
During the MCESD meeting, which was attended by members of the Gozo Regional Committee, the role of Gozo as a key component in Malta Vision 2050 was discussed.
The Ministry for Gozo stated that the social partners of the MCESD and the members of the GRC put forward several suggestions which highlighted the potential of Gozo as an ideal space for pilot projects related to sustainability, quality tourism, and innovative technologies. With that said, the ministry added that they also stressed that Gozo should not be treated as a copy of Malta, but rather as a region with distinct characteristics and priorities which should be respected within a national vision that reflects its specific needs.
The ministry said that the need to strengthen Gozo's connectivity and infrastructure was also discussed with the need to create the necessary framework and opportunities for sustainable d development and investment. It added that the protection of Gozo's agricultural landscape and the impacts of climate change were also identified as key points in the context of sustainable development.