The Malta Tourism Association has identified 200 accommodation establishments in Gozo operating without a licence, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism Mario de Marco has disclosed.

Speaking during the recent Gozo Tourism Association’s annual general meeting, he said the authorities were making sure that such establishments offered high quality standards and services according to law.

He said people had to keep in mind that beds in the sel-catering sector in Gozo made up 63 per cent of the total number of beds available on the island, while that of Malta was eight per cent of the total number.

He also pointed out that two per cent more foreign tourists stayed in Gozo in 2010 compared to the previous year.

The meeting, held at the Citadel theatre in Victoria, was also addressed by Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono and Labour spokesman for tourism Gavin Gulia.

Ms Debono praised the commitment by local councils that had worked with the association since its inception. She said this commitment had resulted in the enhancement of the tourism product in Gozo.

Dr Gulia said a lot had been done by the current administration to enable Malta to register increases in tourist arrivals in 2010, but the results for Gozo left much to be desired.

Association chairman Paul Scicluna spoke on the challenges faced by the tourism sector, particularly the need to strengthen specialised niches that could attract more tourists in the lean months, and also the need to attract new markets.

Secretary Joe Muscat described 2010 as a challenging year. According to the National Statistics Office, 699 more foreign tourists stayed in Gozo in 2010 compared with 2009, an increase of two per cent over the previous year. Compared to 2009, domestic tourism registered an increase of 5,454 arrivals, 18 per cent more than the previous year.