Tourism in Gozo has suffered as a result of Gozo Channel's decision to start its night service this month rather than in June, as it did last year, Gozo Tourism Association (GTA) chairman Joe Rapa said during a meeting between the association, Opposition Leader Alfred Sant, Gozitan Labour MPs Anton Refalo and Carmelo Borg, and Gozo Channel chairman John E. Sullivan.
"This had affected business in Gozitan hotels. If it weren't for internal tourism, the hotels might as well close down. The helicopter service should also be provided on a permanent basis," Mr Rapa said.
Mr Rapa also expressed disappointment at the fact that, last winter, Gozo Channel vessels did not operate at night.
Contacted by The Sunday Times, Mr Sullivan said that in 1999, during discussions with the GTA, Gozo Channel agreed to provide special trips at night for groups whenever the night service was not in operation.
"This arrangement, on a similar passenger boat, was subject to prior notice, minimum numbers and of course, weather conditions. Operators were encouraged to combine passengers for the trip to be more cost-effective for the benefit of all concerned. Unfortunately, to date, very little use was made of this facility," Mr Sullivan said.
He also said that to further encourage winter traffic to Gozo two years ago, Gozo Channel introduced the night service on weekends in the winter and the shoulder months. Again, unfortunately, there was very little support from the hospitality sector."
Mr Sullivan felt that it is all well and good for customers to expect a 24-hour service, seven days a week, all year round. "A service must also be viable and cost effective and this could only be achieved if there is the right demand. Statistics show that at present the demand is just not there, even when the service is available."
During the meeting the Labour Party covered a variety of tourism-related issues, including public transport in Gozo, the need for Gozo to be regarded as an independent tourist destination, diving shops which are currently being allowed to operate illegally, sewage overflow in several beaches, the negative effects of tuna penning near Comino, the need for a decompression chamber for divers, the excess taxes imposed on farmhouses and little revenue generated by tourists on cruise liners. The Labour Party stressed that there is a need for the GTA to be represented on a national level whenever tourism-related decisions are taken.
Speaking at the meeting, Dr Sant stressed that the Labour Party is against the building of an airstrip. He pointed out that the helicopter service should be better organised. He also believes that a night service ought to be provided by a smaller ferry and that more initiatives should be taken to attract tourists to Gozo, such as the setting up of a golf course and of a yacht marina.
The GTA expressed its views on various issues. The association believes that tourists choosing to holiday in Gozo should benefit from a common rated fare when crossing over to Gozo; that the GTA should be recognised officially and consulted with regards to tourism issues on Gozo; that a fixed link should be set up between the islands; that the Gozo Channel should provide a night service all year round, not necessarily using one of existing vessels; that Gozitan Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) board members should be GTA members; that a tuna penning project close to Comino would have harmful consequences.
During another meeting between the GTA and Gozo Channel representatives to discuss the ferry service, the GTA stressed the need for the summer schedule and night trips to operate from June to October. The GTA feels that the current summer schedule does not reflect the requirements of the tourist industry; it also suggested that trips for day trippers from 9 to 10 a.m. and from 3.45 to 5 p.m. should be held every half hour to lessen waiting time.
General manager Marvic Fenech Adami told The Sunday Times that Gozo Channel had explained that during June and October, there was limited patronage, if any, for the night service during the week presumably because children were still at school or sitting for exams.
"It was for this reason that the company decided to operate the night service on Fridays and Saturdays as it was doing throughout the winter and shoulder months. Regarding the half hour interval trips instead of the 45-minute intervals, Gozo Channel explained that this would result in waiting time at either harbour as a round trip takes over an hour, especially when ferries are loaded with passengers and vehicles.
"The company will instead be operating extra trips in between published scheduled times when there are queues at either harbour to avoid the backlog of accumulated passengers and/or cars. This should not disrupt the published schedule unduly. Gozo Channel and the GTA agreed in principle that during the winter and shoulder months, when there is no night service schedule, two night trips for passengers will only be available at specified times, still to be agreed, and subject to pre-advice and weather conditions. Both parties agreed to meet again to finalise this arrangement after further submissions by the GTA," Mr Fenech Adami said.