The introduction of low cost airlines in the late 2006 was one of the determining factors behind the increase in tourist arrivals during 2007 and 2008. The prime objective of the introduction of such airlines was obviously to make Malta more accessible and more competitive in the holiday package market.
If the main island, Malta, felt that access was the key to success, how should the Gozitans, especially those operating in the tourism sector, feel about facilitating the access to the sister island?
As islanders, depending totally on Malta, we have learnt at our own expense that accessibility is one of the major setbacks in getting tourists to Gozo.
During these last two decades, much has been achieved with regards to the inter islands connection. The continuous development at the Mġarr and Ċirkewwa harbours, the deployment of three brand new purposely built vessels, the Malta International Airport to Cirkewwa coach service, together with the recently inaugurated Mġarr terminal, are ample proof that successive administrations have acknowledged that Gozo cannot be isolated from Malta.
These substantial investments do not only cater for the social obligation to us Gozitans, but they were and are also infrastructural investment in the only highway between Malta and Gozo.
Apart from these infrastructural works to service the sea link, the inter-island gap was twice served by an airlink operated by helicopter. Time has proved that a helicopter service can never be a financially profitable operation without any form of subsidy. Thus a helicopter service is not sustainable. The previous operations by The Malta Aircharter Co. Ltd and the Spanish company Helisureste are witness to this. In today's cut-throat holiday market, the last thing Gozo needs as a destination is a high-cost air service or worse still no airlink whatsoever.
The Gozitan tourism operators as well as the Gozitan public are living the experience of the absence of an airlink and are fully aware that Gozo is losing out through this lack of alternative access. Those of us who are dealing daily with the operators and the tourists themselves can really understand what we are lacking through this missing link.
The future of the tourism industry on Gozo, also depends on the availability of an airstrip, well situated and blending in with the Gozitan environs. Only serious and balanced development will keep our beautiful island competitively marketable with so many emerging, enchanting destinations worldwide.
An all-year-round, island tourist destination can only be sellable if there is reliable, consistent, effective and cost-sensitive access to and from the mainland. If these basic concepts are not highly placed on the competent authorities' agenda, Gozo's complete accessibility will be put at high risk and our endeavours to mitigate seasonality will thus be futile. Lamenting will only leave us stuck in this rut. Change is only brought about by action.
In this regard, a long-postponed courageous decision must be taken with regards to the airstrip on Gozo. It is not up to the Gozitan trade to suggest a proper potential site where this infrastructural project could be realised. There are other, more competent authorities, who may advise and decide in this regard.
The Gozitan tourism stakeholders simply want to persuade the decision makers to act before it is too late, by enhancing the accessibility to Gozo through a low cost, safe and sustainable airlink, that will also open up other tourism opportunities, and which will be beneficial to all concerned. Furthermore, it will benefit most of all the socio-economic development of the island.
The time has come to rope in all those involved, in order to work together towards the attainment of this project, otherwise it will not be long before we realise that we have missed another bus. Tourism in Gozo is too fragile an industry. Let's handle it with extreme care.
Mr Muscat is secretary of the Gozo Tourism Association