Improving Gozo's potential

Gozo as an island is rich in its diversity. Notwithstanding the small size of its territory, it offers a multi-faceted reality that often requires vigilant attention and decisions. It is an island that presents a special way of life that needs to be fostered and carefully aided to reap additional benefits.

The island's tourism potential is a case in point. For years, Gozo relied on the traditional tourist who visits for its sea and sun. We realised that Gozo needs to project itself in a different way. We set up the Gozo Tourism Association and immediately started harping on the need to think of Gozo as a distinct destination. By working together - the government and the industry - we have come a long way since 1999 and, although there is still a long road ahead of us, we have managed to establish Gozo as a separate destination in its own right.

Together, we identified priorities that needed to be addressed and started tackling the industry from all directions. We channelled funds towards tourism- oriented projects that continued to improve the island's infrastructure and facilities.

We introduced initiatives that address niche markets to attract visitors to our island for possibly longer stays and in the leaner seasons. We introduced schemes and measures that tackle this central industry and started addressing, for the first time and in a concrete way, the potential of domestic tourism to Gozo.

We believe that Gozo's tourism product can be further developed and promoted. Gozo Channel figures show increases in the number of travellers to Gozo and we are determined to assist this upward trend even more. Between 2006 and 2007 we have witnessed a stark increase of 15 per cent in passengers and vehicles that crossed over to Gozo in the first three months of the year.

January to March is certainly not the most popular season of the year for tourism but one that is slowly establishing itself as a favourite amongst those wishing to experience a tranquil Gozo and one that is directly associated with special events.

We understand the potential that special events and attractions can have on the economy of an island like Gozo and it is for this reason that the government has launched a scheme to financially assist private events organisers, and embarked on an ambitious project that intensifies "the Gozo experience".

Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana is a joint project between my Ministry and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. We are investing heavily in order to provide an attraction that serves to further boost tourism to Gozo during the less popular seasons. It involves the participation of more than 450 artistes across events spread over three days. This is surely the experience that one cannot miss.

Six main stages are being set up around Victoria to cater for a selection of the arts. The narrow streets of the town centre will host acts that accentuate the characteristics of Gozo. Churches and chapels will be the venues for chamber and other recitals.

Victoria's main theatres will host ongoing performances of different genres as will the Sentinella Hall at the Citadel. Museums inside the Citadel will be welcoming visitors during unusually late hours, while the Bishop's Curia will also be open for viewing. Art exhibitions, crafts, plants and flowers, historical re-enactments and tours will be running parallel to music, theatre, dance and dining.

What is certain is that the general public will have an exhaustive possibility of choices of what to do when in Gozo on Friday May 18, Saturday 19 and Sunday 20.

With this new cultural and tourism attraction we are again investing our energy and resources into creating another milestone for our island, one that gives a platform to our artistes, that exposes the true cultural spirit of who we are, and one that generates a considerable economic activity throughout. All this in pursuit of improving on Gozo's potential.

Ms Debono is Minister for Gozo.