Tourism to Gozo during the Santa Marija period is saturated and cannot see more growth, according to the Gozo Tourism Association (GTA), but more promotion is needed to improve business during other months.
The influx is consistent from year to year, and the number of passengers registered in the past few days indicates that this year will not be different.
What needs to be done is to improve the facilities and services offered, as well as to attract tourists during other lean months between April and October, the secretary of the GTA, Joe Muscat, said.
The Santa Marija period is not only the most popular time of year for foreign tourists but also among Maltese who escape to Gozo for their summer recreation.
At this time the Gozo Channel's three boats work on a shuttle basis but many queues still develop, showing that the ferry finds it difficult to keep up with the influx of visitors.
But domestic tourism to Gozo is not limited to Santa Marija, and many Maltese are investing in second residences on the island, making their stays more frequent and longer.
Many Maltese also travel up to Gozo during the weekends of carnival and Easter as well as other long-weekends, especially those that are promoted by some activities, according to a spokesman from the Gozo Channel.
However, Santa Marija is still synonymous with the peak of tourism in Gozo, and leaves a big impact on the economy that makes up for the leaner months.
"At this time it becomes impossible to find accommodation unless you book well in advance. During Santa Marija tourists fill up most hotels and self-catering apartments, and then the Maltese fill in the gaps. Virtually every bed is taken up," Mr Muscat said.
He explained that the fascination with Gozo began during the war when many elite Maltese, especially those living in Valletta, escaped the bombing by going to Gozo.
"That's when people first fell in love with the island, and the domestic market has grown consistently since. In the past decades this trend has not been limited only to the elite."
The chairman of the GTA, Paul Scicluna, who rents out several farmhouses on the island, told The Times that the past three months have been better than usual, and that the impact of tourism has a ripple effect on restaurants, supermarkets and other enterprises around the island.
But he urged the National Statistics Office to give more attention to Gozitan statistics so that they would have a clearer picture about tourism in Gozo and its effects on various sectors of business. He also called for an air-link access which will be less expensive than the former helicopter service, but more reliable than the sea-plane which cannot function when the seas are rough.
He said that an air-link is essential for fast and direct transfers from Malta's airport, and that the demand for such journeys is increasing.
Access to Gozo has improved in recent years, with an almost 24-hour ferry service, three new ships and a new terminal in M?arr.
"This creates more confidence in the destination," Mr Muscat said while emphasising the importance of the internet which makes it easier for tourists to choose their accommodation beforehand.
The Gozo Business Chamber (GBC) said many businesses have reported a higher turnover this year but many have seen a lower number of transactions.
"The food and groceries sector is reported to be doing much better than in previous years but other sectors are reporting less business, especially the clothes sector," Joseph Grech of the GBC said.
The Chamber is asking for a better and more frequent bus service to reach all villages and places of interest, as well as better management of traffic in Victoria, and more parking spaces.
The GTA and the Chamber both highlighted that wardens need to adopt a more customer-friendly and lenient approach so as not to scare away the tourists that they work so hard to attract.
The influx is consistent from year to year, and the number of passengers registered in the past few days indicates that this year will not be different.
What needs to be done is to improve the facilities and services offered, as well as to attract tourists during other lean months between April and October, the secretary of the GTA, Joe Muscat, said.
The Santa Marija period is not only the most popular time of year for foreign tourists but also among Maltese who escape to Gozo for their summer recreation.
At this time the Gozo Channel's three boats work on a shuttle basis but many queues still develop, showing that the ferry finds it difficult to keep up with the influx of visitors.
But domestic tourism to Gozo is not limited to Santa Marija, and many Maltese are investing in second residences on the island, making their stays more frequent and longer.
Many Maltese also travel up to Gozo during the weekends of carnival and Easter as well as other long-weekends, especially those that are promoted by some activities, according to a spokesman from the Gozo Channel.
However, Santa Marija is still synonymous with the peak of tourism in Gozo, and leaves a big impact on the economy that makes up for the leaner months.
"At this time it becomes impossible to find accommodation unless you book well in advance. During Santa Marija tourists fill up most hotels and self-catering apartments, and then the Maltese fill in the gaps. Virtually every bed is taken up," Mr Muscat said.
He explained that the fascination with Gozo began during the war when many elite Maltese, especially those living in Valletta, escaped the bombing by going to Gozo.
"That's when people first fell in love with the island, and the domestic market has grown consistently since. In the past decades this trend has not been limited only to the elite."
The chairman of the GTA, Paul Scicluna, who rents out several farmhouses on the island, told The Times that the past three months have been better than usual, and that the impact of tourism has a ripple effect on restaurants, supermarkets and other enterprises around the island.
But he urged the National Statistics Office to give more attention to Gozitan statistics so that they would have a clearer picture about tourism in Gozo and its effects on various sectors of business. He also called for an air-link access which will be less expensive than the former helicopter service, but more reliable than the sea-plane which cannot function when the seas are rough.
He said that an air-link is essential for fast and direct transfers from Malta's airport, and that the demand for such journeys is increasing.
Access to Gozo has improved in recent years, with an almost 24-hour ferry service, three new ships and a new terminal in M?arr.
"This creates more confidence in the destination," Mr Muscat said while emphasising the importance of the internet which makes it easier for tourists to choose their accommodation beforehand.
The Gozo Business Chamber (GBC) said many businesses have reported a higher turnover this year but many have seen a lower number of transactions.
"The food and groceries sector is reported to be doing much better than in previous years but other sectors are reporting less business, especially the clothes sector," Joseph Grech of the GBC said.
The Chamber is asking for a better and more frequent bus service to reach all villages and places of interest, as well as better management of traffic in Victoria, and more parking spaces.
The GTA and the Chamber both highlighted that wardens need to adopt a more customer-friendly and lenient approach so as not to scare away the tourists that they work so hard to attract.