Record figures for Gozo Channel

This year's passenger and vehicle ferrying figures registered by Gozo Channel Co Ltd have again exceeded last year's. Figures for June showed a considerable increase of almost 31,000 passengers and 8,000 vehicles when compared with June last year.

Figures also surpass the increase registered last May, during which ferries carried just over 29,000 passengers and almost 7,000 vehicles over May last year.

The first six months of this year have seen an increase of 7.8 per cent and 7.2 per cent in the number of ferried passengers and vehicles respectively when compared with the same period last year. This is notworthy, given that 2007 was regarded as a record year in all respects, with the company operating 9,235 trips, carrying 1,703,576 passengers, and 464,170 vehicles between January and June.

Over the same period, this year there have been 9,592 trips, 1,836,512 passengers and 497,552 vehicles. This means that there were 357 more trips, 132,936 more passengers and 33,382 more vehicles. Half of this increase was recorded during May and June.

Gozo Channel is a lifeline for Gozitans as well as for the island's economy. Besides serving as a gateway, its services are fundamental for ensuring a sustainable tourism industry. Services have undergone continuous development in recent years, with major improvements, such as the new ferries, an improved schedule and the recently inaugurated Mġarr Terminal.

Through various schemes offered by the company and Gozitan tourist establishments, Gozo is being marketed as a distinct destination, and financial support in the organisation of cultural and entertaining activities are only a few of the initiatives taking place to promote the island within the domestic market, especially during the lean months. Record figures augur well for the coming months, especially when one considers upcoming events which are regular crowd pullers to Gozo during summer.

However, despite Gozo Channel's success, its chairman Joe Borg resigned his post and will be succeeded by lawyer Joseph Grech.