Maltese visitors 'sustain' Gozo tourism

Maltese visitors are imperative for the Gozo tourism sector since they kept it going when it most needed it, Gozo Tourism Association secretary Joe Muscat said.

In an opinion survey commissioned by The Sunday Times and carried out by sociologist Mario Vassallo, 74.7 per cent of respondents said they preferred the Maltese who crossed over to Gozo to foreign tourists.

Contacted yesterday, Mr Muscat explained that domestic tourism was very important for Gozo, because although the average stay was 1.9 nights, with people going over for the weekend, it was constant throughout the year.

"The domestic market is a big sustaining factor, both with regard to accommodation as well as restaurants," he said, adding that the Maltese tended to spend more on food and wine than tourists.

Mr Muscat said when a public holiday fell on a Friday or on a Monday, many people made the most of the long weekend and spent it in Gozo. He said certain occasions, like Carnival and Easter, were synonymous with Maltese crossing over to Gozo to spend a few days.

With regard to the ferry services, 36 per cent of respondents said they were dissatisfied with it. Of these, 51.9 per cent said it was because it was too expensive, while 43.5 per cent said there were not enough crossings.

Mr Muscat said the ferry prices definitely affected tourism and the amount of money people spent.

"If we continue to increase the ferry fares, then fewer Maltese will come to Gozo. It is important to keep in mind that when there are problems with the economy, it is the leisure sector which suffers first," he said.

Mr Muscat said the association had suggested that Gozo Channel introduces seasonal rates so that more people would be tempted to cross over during the shoulder months. He said discussions on the issue had been held with Gozo Channel and the Investments Ministry, which was responsible for the ferry company.

"Gozo Channel is our national road, and it is extremely important for us Gozitans," he said.

Asked whether things would improve if there was an underwater tunnel linking Malta to Gozo, Mr Muscat said the association had its reservations about a permanent link between the two islands, because this would lead to Gozo losing its charm and becoming an extension of Malta.

"We need to look at the crossing between Malta and Gozo as a positive thing, as part of the experience of coming to Gozo," he stressed.