Franco J Scicluna, Victoria
What Gozo needs is accessibility, marketing
A few days ago, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi together with some ministers came over to Gozo to give our constituted bodies a pat on the back, or so it seemed. One has to remember that, only last May, a similar meeting ended in mayhem because of what these bodies clearly saw as the sheer arrogance and gross insensitivity of the powers that be with regard to the needs of the sister island. They seem to forget its double insularity.
One hopes that, this time, what was asked for at this meeting will not fall on deaf ears. Gozo is fed up of always playing second fiddle and being made only half-baked promises few, if any, of which eventually materialise.
It was stated that about 17 urgent points were being raised. These took the form of two separate lists. Some are considered as top priority; others for the medium term. Let's hope, however, that eventually all the 17 points will be implemented.
It is imperative for the region of Gozo to be recognised as one whole tourist locality but for this to happen, it's a must that access to the island, with whatever means, is open at all times. In this respect, it is important that an airstrip is considered essential and should be marked as a priority.
When last summer the budget for 2009 was being prepared, there were 29 electoral proposals and countless pre-budget promises, but only a few ever saw the light of day and made it to the budget. Most were long overdue, but had remained on the waiting lists.
We are promised to have cruise liner berths at Xlendi and Marsalforn for small cruise liners. Why small liners, may I ask. Is it because Gozo is small? Gozo needs the full-size ones, like the ones that visit other small islands in the rest of the Mediterranean.
Eco-tourism is still a new concept but one also has to note that the bulk of visitors come in the warm season when most of the land is just one big mass of brown and burnt soil, unlike the three winter months when Gozo is green and lush. How many of these tourists would want to savour this still remains to be seen. Gozo needs niche tourism; youngsters completing their tourism studies deserve it. Despite the global financial crises and the huge economic problems, small islands similar to ours are inundated with visitors, mostly young people. The Greek islands and the Balearic islands to the west of the Mediterranean are having exceptional good business.
Service is always with a smile, the roads impeccable, everywhere is clean and tidy and working like clockwork. Can't we have that here as well? People flock to these islands in thousands by ship, by plane, by private yachts, by every means. Can't we have a slice of this cake too?
I am sure that the constituted bodies and whoever has Gozo at heart will keep on pressing the government to have our wishes met. This is most important if we are to survive.
We have been waiting far too long. Give accessibility and proper marketing to the island top priority.
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James A. Tyrrell
Jul 9th 2009, 23:29
@Saviour Grech. Please tell us how an airstrip is going to alleviate Gozo's tourism seasonality problem? Numbers would be useful Saviour. I'm sure you must have carried out a poll of tourists arriving and leaving from Gozo regarding their thoughts on an airstrip. So give us all the numbers Saviour so that we can see how this airstrip is going to solve all of Gozo's tourism problems.
Oh and while you are at it can you tell us how much the tickets are going to cost? Also how many flights per day are there going to be just so people know how much daily disturbance there is going to be? Can you also inform us what direction the airstrip is going to be built, South to North or East to West? Most would actually go for two airstrips in order to cover every eventuality with regard to wind direction. Damn! Me and my big mouth. I guess you weren’t going to bring up the subject of a second airstrip until the first one was built.
You know if you put as much effort into campaigning for a new helicopter service it would probably be up and running now!
Saviour Grech
Jul 8th 2009, 22:52
Well done Franco. The talking has to stop. Every pre-budget document declares that an airlink will go a long way towards alleviating the Gozo's tourism seasonality problem. So why is the decision being continually postponed. Ther is no need of more reports and discussions. Let us decide. The government has just decide to impiment an Euro 80 million + project to embelish the entrance to Valletta. Is it so difficult ot invest just a hew thousands of Euro to lengthen the Xewkija airstrip or build one in some other place. The private sector will do the rest. let's get going before the tourism industry in Gozo vanishes in thin air.
James A. Tyrrell
Jul 8th 2009, 20:53
I thought you would have a comment here Roy! And once again we have the old tourism nut being thrown into the argument. Roy you are not a tourist, you live on the island. I am a tourist so I think I can speak from a tourist point of view better than you. As a tourist I am 100% against the idea of an airstrip on Gozo. As I have said before this has nothing to do with attracting tourists to the island and everything to do with a bunch of rich developers and businessmen wanting their own little airstrip to play with.
Tourists come to Gozo because it is quiet Roy and we want it to stay that way. That does not equate to Gozo staying in the dark ages, which is always another favourite argument. I'm happy to use the ferry to travel to the island as indeed are the majority of others.
I agree with your idea regarding solar cells on streetlights but obviously they would have to be thief proof. Parts of England are also using sleeping policemen to slow traffic, which also generate power when a vehicle passes over them.
Franco Farrugia
Jul 8th 2009, 19:26
It would be DISASTROUS for Gozo to have an airstrip. It would mean the end of the island as we know it. People who are backing this idea are those who, as Scicluna says in his letter, want to have a piece of the cake - whatever that is! Gozitans would be wise not to try and kill the chicken that lays the golden eggs.
Roy S. Perry
Jul 8th 2009, 18:05
I wish to point out that the proposal to construct a short airstrip in Gozo to accept aircraft up to 20 ġpassengers is NOT the idea of one person. The project has been promoted mostly by those who are finding their businesses most affected since the withdrawal of the Helicopter link, that is those in the tourism and light industrial sectors. Both the GTA and GBC support the plan and did so at last Friday's meeting. It will NOT seriously impact on the environment, nor destroy hidden roman remains, nor will cause any new building construction.
For Gozo to become an Eco-Island, the first step must be to limit wasted energy. For example, why not fit every street lamp and outside light on public building with a solar cell, as is done widely in Switzerland and Germany. Costly to import cells, well build a plant at Xewkija to make and export them. Now would that not kill several birds with one stone?
If Malta keeps on failing to import good ideas from abroad the archipelago will surely sink in a sea of despair.
Galea. L
Jul 8th 2009, 16:32
Franco J Scicluna
Please note that with your proposal for an airstrip in Gozo I rate you as an environmental rapist.
Peter Green
Jul 8th 2009, 15:43
Mr Scicluna your proposed Gozo airstrip (airport) will destroy the Gozo Eco Tourism for ever. Who ever comes to Gozo comes for peace and tranquillity and not to listen to planes as they do back home and this also includes the Maltese!
a.e.camilleri
Jul 8th 2009, 12:09
Another interesting contribution on Gozo, and which, I hope, Minister Giovanna Debono and the others responsible take note and ACT as necessary soonest. Time is of the essence, as others are beating us to the 'cherry'. How right Mr. Scicluna is when he reminds how relevant matters should be: "Service is always with a smile, the roads impeccable, everywhere is clean and tidy and working like clockwork. Can't we have that here as well?" Take a good look at Marsalforn and Xlendi for a start. Shabby villages, terrible roads, and the service in general there could definitely be vastly improved upon. The necessary works might be in the pipeline, but these had better be brought forward fast, before it is too late; they should be given due priority. Then there is the over-development; please STOP this, and get what is already present cleared up and put to better use. It is all so shabby, Minister! But we love Gozo still, hence our great interest in improving the product.