Ferries work overtime

Thousands flocked to Gozo over the weekend in the traditional exodus that coincides with the feast of Santa Marija, celebrated tomorrow.

As in previous years, Gozo Channel ferries have been working overtime to carry the extra visitors to the sister island, helped by the opening of the second ramp at the new Mgarr terminal which means that two ships can now dock at the same time and unload passengers and vehicles.

Gozo Channel chairman Joe Borg told The Times that around 1,000 more vehicles crossed between the islands in the first week of August compared with the same week last year. However, there were fewer foot passengers which was probably in line with the reported decline in tourism.

Mr Borg explained that Gozo Channel was doing its best to maintain an efficient service and queues had been kept to a reasonable level this year.

Gozo Tourism Association secretary Joe Muscat said there were mixed feelings about how tourism to Gozo was faring during this period. He said some businesses were claiming they were doing as well as last year, while others were faring worse.

Mr Muscat said the public holiday falling on a Tuesday, as opposed to a day either side of the weekend, tended to have a negative impact on tourism to Gozo since most Maltese would need to take a day's leave to be able to have a long weekend.

"This is one of the elements that affects the number of people crossing to Gozo; the numbers do not always depend on the country's economic situation," he said. He pointed out that there were certain travelling trends which should also be borne in mind, such as better opportunities these days for Maltese to take holidays on the cruise liners that stop in Malta.

Fewer Maltese were renting properties in Gozo due to a rise in ownership and this also had an effect on restaurants, he added. On the other hand, it had a positive impact on supermarkets and Gozo Channel.

The association spoke highly about the scuttling of two ships at Ix-Xatt l-Ahmar on Saturday. In a statement, it said this would give a boost to Gozo's diving sector and to tourism on Gozo in general.