GTA: Low cost airlines hurting Gozo as Maltese go abroad

Joseph Camilleri

Jan 8th, 10:22

gozo has a very bad reputation and no one else deserves this reputation but the very gozitans. In almost 100% of the cases they tamper with receipts. School children are ripped off when they are on school visits. Renting farmhouses has become so expensive that it would be insane to go there when it is much cheaper to visit other countries, after all you get away far from it all. Gozo never again!

Konrad Scicluna

Jan 8th, 07:36

I cannot understand why rather than generalising and giving a bad name to Gozo and all the Gozitans, those who feel cheated about a particular business, restaurant, establishment or any abusing individual do not adapt a name and shame attitude. One can even post a review whether good or bad in sites such as trip advisor.

Stop grumbling and complaining and instead do something about it.

John Attard

Jan 8th, 06:33

A few weeks back I was there on Sunday. One of the two pharmacies opened has a queue of people but by chance the cash register was damaged and he could not hand out receipts. And if GTA thinks that Malta should do away with Low Cost Airlines then I suggest they should sack their CEO. We need to think ahead and bright ideas please only

LOUIS JOSEPH BORG

Jan 8th, 02:02

do not worry gozo will have political tourists soon!

Stephen Zammit

Jan 8th, 01:10

The price of the ferry is hardly an issue for Maltese "tourists". That price is already competitive with the ferry to Sicily or the air ticket of the low cost airlines. Its the price of lodging that has to go down to attract more Maltese to Gozo instead. Hosting seasonal events will just add congestion and put off more Maltese. Better value for money throughout the year should be Gozoitans' aim.

Joseph Camilleri

Jan 8th, 01:00

I will never spend a cent in Gozo. They cheat and over charge and we are discriminated when we park and end up paying for traffic fines we never did. Gozo is one corrupt situation and I will not spend money there. The double orders if they issue a bill and heaven help the unaware person. Who wants to go to gozo when it is much cheaper and more interesting to go to another country.

Paul Hawker

Jan 7th, 23:27

We visited Gozo on 2 occasions,like any little island although its a nice little place once you 've been there you seen it all and believe me after a while tends to get a bit boring of the same old thing, including a few shabby hotels and restaurants mainly in Qala and also another place masalforn, i think that the best place is still Malta and further afield to the north of the islands is a must

Victor Borg

Jan 7th, 22:41

So the GTA wants Gozo to have: (1) ferries to Sicily: (2) a tunnel to Malta; (3) an airport for flights between Malta and Gozo.

Have they lost all sense of proportion? Or has insularity made them think that Gozo is the world's centre of gravity?

Lawrence Civelli

Jan 7th, 22:28

If they stop ripping people off maybe more people visit Gozo.Every summer I come to Malta ,,last year We went to Rabat (Gozo ) and decided to have something to eat,tea and pastizzi,not only the woman tried to charge me more,she even split the napkins in half,and only when I asked for it.
If they want more people to visit,they have to make them feel they are welcome .

Michael Campbell

Jan 7th, 22:17

VAT reduction? LOL. Do you guys in Gozo pay VAT?
How many of us Maltese come there and are never given a fiscal receipt?
And you get away with it.
Maybe if you offer better quality service and slightly lower prices, forfeiting greed and the insatiable desire to screw people, maybe Gozo can revive itself.
Until then, give them independence, i say.
OK. Just joking with a grain of truth.

Danika Vella

Jan 7th, 21:49

So basically, what they are saying is that they don't want low cost airlines so that the Maltese go to Gozo instead of abroad? Are they insinuating that Gozo is synonymous to 'abroad'? They must be joking!

Joe Grech

Jan 7th, 21:26

GTA need new well trained staff in tourism industry. Some staff got no knowledge about this industry, only filling jobs, others spend lifetime in tourism but always says that tourism is doing well even if it’s loosing money. Why GTA didn't stop what was said a few days age that Gozo Hotels and apartment are full while most of them were empty? Those using Gozo Channel are mostly Gozitans workers.

M. Micallef

Jan 7th, 19:28

Gozo is a niche market, therefore it cannot have the bucket and spade cheap tourism. The product, however, has to reflect this. While some hotels and farmhouses have done this, others have not. It cannot be a mass market and keep its identity as volume dilutes this. How can you have a quite, clean island if it is inundated with tourists, like at Santa Maria? I avoid this time like the plague!

kenneth formosa

Jan 7th, 19:02

Mela tmur 3 star f'Jannar jitolbuk €35 lejl twin room jigu €70 ta'bed and breakfast .Jekk tmur Malta issib orhos .
Anke Sqallija orhos u tkun mort pajjiz iehor ...qed jaraw gbir l-Ghawdxin u jridu lil gvern jghinhom f'kollox RAHHSU l-PREZZIJIET !!!!!"

Raymond Sacco

Jan 7th, 18:45

It's not the low cost airlines which are making Maltese opting to go abroad instead of Gozo, but high cost Gozo for Maltese!

Mr Victor G Mercieca

Jan 7th, 18:42

The closed attitudes towards rapid inter islands commuting on this island leaves little to be desired starting from the people at very top running Gozo!.... Gozo has missed out at least 40 years of General Aviation by failing to provide a basic 760m AIRSTRIP, & left a the heliport derelict for years from civil use apart AFM heli VIP flights....An AIRFIELD is a vital for all aspect of businesses!!

Francis Farrugia

Jan 7th, 18:26

Il GTA ahjar taqbad ftit lill-Lukandiera u proprjetarji tar-restaurants biex ibaxxu il-prezzijiet ghaliex ghalina l-Maltin narawha ahjar insiefru ghall Gimgha bil-Low cost airlines ghax b`kollox jigina orhos milli mmorru Gimgha Ghawdex. Imbaghad xi nghidu fis-sajf. Jisolhuna bhall Fniek. Il-Gvern ghamel biz-zejjed li rahhas il-prezz tal-vapur ghall weekend biex immorru niklu pero xorta ma jfendix.

B Testa

Jan 7th, 18:24

Everyone is living in another reality on these islands. The GTA people have another option to make Maltese visit their island instead of going abroad.....lower the prices for renting a place and make places more affordable for the price being paid. In some cases a week in Gozo costs more than a holiday to nearby Sicily or a weekend in Northern Italy. Guess what the people would choose ?

Ray Buhagiar

Jan 7th, 18:18

I am Maltese with a family of 5 and always find Gozo Hotels cheaper and less trouble than going abroad. Certain hotels I was in also offer family rooms. And I have to book in advance as then it would be impossible to book.

I rarely go to apartments as these are not up to standard. My recommendation to GTA is to ensure that apartments are upgraded.

Neil Bugeja

Jan 7th, 18:16

Wrong! It is value for money which is driving people abroad rather than to Gozo, not the fact that there are low-cost airlines!

phyllis butler

Jan 7th, 17:52

It is definitely not the low cost flights that are hurting Gozo but something closer to home. There is price discrimination in everything you touch when you are in Gozo.

Carmel Camilleri

Jan 7th, 17:38

If there are less Maltese visiting Gozo this should be Government's problem because of high unemployment.

Money that drains out of the Maltese islands means less mony and so higher taxes !!!

Maria Borg

Jan 7th, 17:37

Its not the low cost airlines that are hurting Gozo, its the Gozitans themselves who put higher and higher prices each year; on accomodation, food, and entertainment.

N. Aquilina

Jan 7th, 17:27

Dear GTA,
I love Gozo and I come every year with a group of friends since it the place to be to relax in my opinion, however I cannot but agree with the below comments that prices for farmhouses are exorbitant, at one point we were going to be charged 135 euro a night in June which is not high season! If the farmhouse and flat owners moderate their prices Maltese ppl will come flocking back

Saviour Sam Agius

Jan 7th, 17:25

Frequent traveller tickets should be more sensible. If I buy a frequent traveller ticket for a pedestrian, I shouldn't be expected to pay the full rate if I go to Gozo by car or by bicycle. I should simply pay an additional car/bicycle fee and be allowed to use the pedestrian frequent traveller ticket. There should also be more discounts for frequent users.

anthony sultana

Jan 7th, 17:11

The problem with Gozo is that we never had anybody with arttistic mind to take care of our tiny island,we need a smart and courageous person as management.If our living depend on tourism why our island is not all tourist resort?They just don't care.

Pierre Micallef-Grimaud

Jan 7th, 17:10

It's not just the ferry crossing that needs to be adjusted. It's the prices of lodging and food and eating out that's expensive in Gozo. Truly, it pays to go abroad rather than spend a few days in Gozo. Shame really because Gozo is nice.

Wally Vella-Zarb

Jan 7th, 17:04

I used to visit Gozo regularly on my boat and never had any problems with shopkeepers, restaurateurs or with the people in general. I stopped going when the marina was privatised and the fees shot up. Unfortunately there is no other safe place where to leave the boat while one goes shopping/eating out/visiting places or friends. It has become more cost effective to sail up to Sicily. Pity really.

Charles Micallef

Jan 7th, 16:57

GTA please read comments below and see what your customers say about Gozo and why they opt out for going abroad instead of coming to Gozo ........you might just learn something!!!

victor caruana

Jan 7th, 16:55

Only idiots or others who have money to burn go spend a holiday in Gozo.

Saviour Cauchi

Jan 7th, 16:54

Some of the Maltese that come over to Gozo are some of the cheapest people alive. Rent one bedroom apartment, have 8 to 12 people sleep there, don't go to restaurants and just eat bread and butter. I know for a fact Gozo is a better place without the select few cheap persons that used to come over, like I said not all but a select few of the Maltese that came over.

Joe A. Borg

Jan 7th, 16:52

Would like to know why we make so much fuss for a miserable 29,000 people! Even B'Kara has more residents than all of Gozo put together!. I know so many Maltese people that have changed their ID card to Gozo just to benefit from the fringe benefits that Gozitans enjoy over Maltese citizens (by the way, are we not all Maltese?)
The best thing we can do for Gozo is giving them INDEPENDENCE!!

saviour magro

Jan 7th, 16:51

The last time I visited Gozo was 31 years ago. Then I promised NEVER to go back, and so far I kept that promise. It started when I took a relative of mine with his family, living in the United States, on a day trip to Gozo. A Marsalforn street hawker charged my relative Lm5 for a melon. When I protested I was told to mind my own business.

Peter Murray

Jan 7th, 16:50

Cant possibly imagine why any people irrespective of their nationality would rather go abroad than to Gozo-can you? (Rhetorical question by the way-already adequately anwered by a lot of commentators).Why should Gozitans be subsidised by other taxpayers and pay less for any from of transport?

Paul Caruana

Jan 7th, 16:37

Airstrip, ferry tariffs.....does the GTA really think these are the main issues why less Maltese go to Gozo? What about the exorbitant prices charged to the visiting Maltese? In some cases, it actually works out cheaper to go to Europe for a few days with a low cost airline.....and the ferry tariff has got nothing to do with it!

Stefan Enge

Jan 7th, 16:34

@Gozo: Treat the visitors as visitors and they will come

ANTHONY PAVIA

Jan 7th, 16:29

Shouldn't LCC have been a wake up call for Gozo to clean up it's act? Shouldn't they have realised that the times of a Maltese captive market was over? They obviously ignored it at their peril, as they did with the exaggerated pricing of their real estate. Isn't Gozo hugely subsidised enough from all our taxes? What cheek to make a dream list and present it to Maltese taxpayers for completion.

Irena Shuke

Jan 7th, 16:28

So they'd rather the Maltese never went anywhere abroad - only from one tiny island to a tinier one?
There is time for Gozo and time for "abroad"...

Elvin Muscat

Jan 7th, 16:12

It was bound to happen, a few years ago I promised myself to find another way to spend my holidays, and this Christmas me and my family went to Sicily for a week. We spent around five hundred a head, two years ago in Gozo we spent over six hundred a head for the same period. Lower the prices and you will see a come back, till then Sicily is a better choice.

Martha Calleja

Jan 7th, 16:10

.....its not worth visiting Gozo any more than a day ....wardens, over pricing , no night entertaiment ....ryanair is cheaper :)

Paul Camilleri

Jan 7th, 16:05

The only reason is that Gozitans have out-priced themselves.

A. Mifsud

Jan 7th, 16:04

the last time I've been to Gozo was 5 years ago. I genuinely (and politely) complained to the management of a reputable 4* Hotel about the standards to which in my honest opinion was lacking. Poor maintenance and upgrading of facilities. Its unbelievable but true - the rude reply I got from one of the owners. He said if you don't like it go elsewhere - we don't need you maltese here!
Or they do?

R. Caruana

Jan 7th, 16:03

Low-cost airline are hurting Gozo? Even if they were they can do absolutely do nothing about it fortunately but in truth what is hurting them is their greed and respect towards their customers, now it's their turn to feel the bite, may they feel it deep.

A. Sultana

Jan 7th, 15:56

It is sad to see how some Maltese recall some experiences in Gozo mentioning how they were robbed. The same happened to me in Malta several times as soon as the maltese recognize you are gozitan, so how about putting this one to rest? If Maltese prefer to go abroad and being 'robbed' by paying 5 Euros for a Capuccino instead of coming to Gozo, then be it.

Shawn Grixti

Jan 7th, 15:47

I was once charged Lm6 for a six pack of 1.5 liter bottles of water! Yes Lm6, that is how long I didn't go to Gozo again. ......and will never return.

James Tyrrell

Jan 7th, 15:25

So basically the GTA want more ships, an undersea tunnel and a fixed wing airstrip as well as the further destruction of bays to accommodate yachts. Gonzi once said that he couldn't find people within Malta of a high enough intelligence for important jobs and that fact is certainly evident when you look at the GTA! Where the hell do they find these idiots who obviously don't have a clue?

Lawrence Fenech

Jan 7th, 15:11

It has become a hassle to go to Gozo, it is also loosing it's Gozitan characteristic of a place to relax and enjoy an evening walk in the evening. This summer going over to Gozo was a disaster, roads, queues and traffic.

william cauchi

Jan 7th, 15:07

When flights used to cost €300 plus, few had any other choice but to go to Gozo for a break. But with flight costs so low, just did one to Bari for €30, how can you blame anybody.

Another thing is that most of us have been to Gozo, 10, 20, 30 times and even the nicest place loses it's charm by time.

Gozo has to look outwards and cannot depend only on the Maltese.

George Attard

Jan 7th, 14:57

as someone who has Gozitan parents and lives in Malta, i'm embarrassed on some of the stories i hear of Maltese getting ripped off in Gozo. it's shameful. to be fair the majority of places i know of treat the Maltese very well and not only because they know where their main business comes from, also because there are a few genuine people there.

George Attard

Jan 7th, 14:57

as someone who has Gozitan parents and lives in Malta, i'm embarrassed on some of the stories i hear of Maltese getting ripped off in Gozo. it's shameful. to be fair the majority of places i know of treat the Maltese very well and not only because they know where their main business comes from, also because there are a few genuine people there.

Gordon Borg

Jan 7th, 14:50

Thanks to your wardens,giving parking tickets only to maltese citizens.It happened to me at Rabat.

anthony sultana

Jan 7th, 14:49

I went to a restuarant with an english speaking woman in Xlendi, and for one fish and chips he charge me 46 euros, and the same to her and than he want it some tips also.Never went again.So Gozo love it or leave it,we are strange people over here.

Geoffrey Farrugia

Jan 7th, 14:42

I beg to differ on this. In December I compared a 5 day stay in Gozo or Rome. Price difference was of 150 euros, Rome being slightly more expensive. But you can all guess where I ended up going! Gozo has become one very expensive destination. And nothing spectacular to offer for repeat visitors.

Mr Alexander Azzopardi

Jan 7th, 14:41

mhux ovja jekk worth-it aktar tmur flim post trid f l eu mili tmur ghawdex ax tigi irhas!

Jurgen Camilleri

Jan 7th, 14:38

The Gozo Ferry ticket for a car and two passengers costs about €20, what do you expect if for a couple euros more you can get a day trip to cities like London? Besides, how many times are we going to visit the same place? Kind of defeats the purpose of going "abroad".

Alex Falzon

Jan 7th, 14:34

LCC is no excuse for having Maltese travelling outside Maltese shores.

vincent a galea

Jan 7th, 14:34

As I already had occasion to report in this Paper, the Gozitans are reaping the fruits of their unwise sowings!

Why in a row of illegally parked cars, mine was the only one to get a contravention ticket?

Why are there 3 prices, and boasted about by Gozitans: 1 price for Tourists; 1 for Maltese; and 1 for Gozitans...

Sorry Għawdxin: You laid your bed, now you sleep in it!!

P Bonnici

Jan 7th, 14:33

Ah, let's ban low cost airlines then!

This does not make sense. Low cost airlines bring in more tourists which Gozo should attempt to attract. There should be more tourists in Gozo since the introduction of low cost airlines. There is something wrong somewhere else unfortunately. Don't blame low cost airlines.

Mr Andrew Camilleri

Jan 7th, 14:31

And there was Simon Busuttil boasting that GonziPN had brought cheap airlines to Malta.

GL Calleja

Jan 7th, 14:24

GTA I think this satement is going to hurt Gozo more than the LCC which have nothing to do with your greed, because that is why Gozo is hurting for Maltese tourists. The LCC is the best thing that has happened to Maltese and Gozitans alike. Why don't you start treating Maltese visitors fairly and lower your prices on Hotels and menus. Maybe you can also start by cleaning up the Dwejra Basin.

Franco Farrugia

Jan 7th, 14:15

And whose fault is it that the Gozitans were repeatedly saying that they don't need the Maltese?? Eh? Eh? Gozitan businessmen don't give a darn about destroying Gozo - they want an airstrip and they also want a tunnel. Well, it's no wonder.

Joe Grech

Jan 7th, 14:12

Apart from some real silly comments down here . Yes there are some idiots around in Gozo, like everywhere else, but most people are good people. The GTA is a toothless little poodle. They have no voice. They are absolutely no good!! Their excuses are childish!! No, we can not depend only on people from the mainland. Gozo need to be promoted together with Malta. Malta & Gozo!

carmel cassar

Jan 7th, 14:11

competition is the name of the game, need to say no more

paul camilleri

Jan 7th, 14:02

it is about time that Gozo businessmen relise that to charge double or triple the normal price for items is costing the Gozo trade and not low cost airlines, but for some reason there are no price control in resturants holiday flats hotels or even the local grocer Maltese tourists in Gozo are robbed!!!

Alfred J. McEwen

Jan 7th, 14:01

I can see the Maltese ``Ansjan`` being given a free flight to Gozo,, and as far as an underwater tunnel is concerned it will probably be finished early in the next century perhaps given the track record on road building. Wonder who the lucky contractor will be ..now let me guess !!

Carmelo Aquilina

Jan 7th, 13:58

Stop ripping off tourists likeme and compete on price..and maybe I'll go back again
ruin the island with an air strip and I won't go and there will be many like me

John Dalton

Jan 7th, 13:50

The GTA Needs to take heed of this letter, Whenever my partner and I visit Gozo we are always on pins and expecting a parking ticket because my car has Maltese No Plates and the Gozitan Traffic wardens only look for Maltese cars,Also if I want to purchase anything i,e Goods or Meals my partner has to order as she speaks Maltese and I dont that is the only way that we do not get ripped off.

Tom Sumner

Jan 7th, 13:45

This is a strange statement by the GTA, and only looks at one very small part of the equation.

There is little doubt that the net benefit to Gozo of the budget airlines is enormous. These carriers bring in tens of thousands of people to MLA yearly, with many of them destined for Gozo.

The fact that a few Maltese use the same carriers to go abroad, rather than Gozo, is a minor resultant issue.

Joseph Aquilina

Jan 7th, 13:45

Dare I ask how many Gozitans come over to Malta for a break?

anthony sultana

Jan 7th, 13:39

When one go to Gozo is waste of time, there is nothing to see, except people wating for you to rob you.

Charles Micallef

Jan 7th, 13:39

My heart bleeds for those who spend years exploiting the Maltese visitors and now that we have the opportunity to get better value for money holidays elsewhere the GTA is blaming the LCC's for the drop in visitors, well hard cheese exploiters!

julian caruana

Jan 7th, 13:35

Gozitans themselves are hurting Gozo no more no less. They have to stop over charging Maltese and foreigners

. i came across a restaurant myself with two menu with different prices..something which i reported to the MTA. very short term vision.

Mark Vella

Jan 7th, 13:34

HAHA...... What is there to see in gozo that you cannot see in 2-3 visits? I go to sicily, spend less or the same but i always see something new! Plus i do not get ripped off.

Spicca il monopolju ghawdxin!

Mr robert micallef

Jan 7th, 13:34

i find it hard to understand why a hotel in gozo is more expensive then a hotel in London or Berlin of the same classification

V. Cauchi

Jan 7th, 13:31

GTA would better ask what the PM meant when he lately asked whether Gozo was ready for independence. Was he saying it tongue in cheek?

Iris Baitrman

Jan 7th, 13:31

Why do you blame them? going abroad nowadays is much cheaper then staying a week or so in a Gozo hotel or a rented farmhouse. Gozo is getting to pricey and every year it seems to be more and more. Personally i seen Gozo and once is enough. The boom time for gozo is now well and truely over and as Paul McCartney once said, you cannot reheat a souffle.

David Borg

Jan 7th, 13:30

Gozo is a jungle and the Gozo Ministry is organising the disorganisation. Simple as that. Someone had the hidden agenda to keep Gozo Backwards. Eco Gozo was an example of the disorganisation and mis management of funds. To give Euro 100,000 from Eco Gozo funds to do a pavement in front of a church is a very small example. Better stop here. Judge yourself.

Joe Grech

Jan 7th, 13:19

Of course! It’s a lot cheaper to spend a holiday abroad than sister island Gozo. Some Gozitan accommodation drinks and restaurant cost too much, unless you get a farmhouse with about 20 persons sleeping under one roof. Why don’t they put some prices down like some European countries where you get much better service?

Toni Muscat

Jan 7th, 13:16

Gozo needs to add things to attact tourists . An Educational Zoo / Petting Zoo in the Industral estates would be one. It would creat jobs and be a place for people to come and learn about the wild life we have here and about our agrulculture . Would also serve as a place for schools to bring children to learn to appricate what is all around us and take for granted .

Martin Borg

Jan 7th, 13:15

2 night weekend break comparison (for two persons) :

Gozo : Ferry (+ car) + Hotel BB basis 4 star + 2 evening meals and drinks = Euro 280.00
Bologna : Flights Ryanair + car hire + Hotel 4 star BB basis + 2 evening meals and drinks = Euro 220.00

NUFF SAID.

GTA WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE.

Anthony Arpa

Jan 7th, 13:14

Gozo Hotel Prices are as even much dearer then Hotel in Malta ...

Joe A. Borg

Jan 7th, 13:09

Over the year through my various experiences dealing with Gozitan business I have learned that in Gozo they have a 3 tier price list. These are:
1 For Gozitans
2 For Maltese
3 For tourists.

Joseph Sammut

Jan 7th, 13:07

That's how the cookie crumbles. However, if Gozo cared to give us more than lip service, I am sure that the situation would not be as bad as GTA is making out, if it is at all.

Neil Dent

Jan 7th, 13:06

The backlash of comments here in no way surprises me, but it's not only the Gozitan 'rip off' culture is it.

I have always enjoyed short trips to Gozo, but having the chance to experience the culture and beauty of places like Rome, Valencia, Venice etc., etc. for literally just a few euros more, is an infinitely more attractive option.

GTA wants to have its cake, and eat it too!

W. Cassar

Jan 7th, 13:04

Maybe they should try harder to attract foreign tourists! Its not the Maltese that they should be aiming at, I go abroad to see different things not more of the same.

Paul@ Micallef

Jan 7th, 13:04

Some of the comments below are unfair. Gozo is beautiful. The people are friendly. They have a lot of cultural events all year round. I have a residence there and visit Gozo very often. The problem is that the business people tend to be greedy. They overcharge the maltese, true. They do not offer good service especially in restaurants, true. The wardens are a problem too. GTA has to address these.

Andre Calleja

Jan 7th, 13:03

After the Gozitans charge 30 and 35 euro per night per person for a farmhouse and NEVER issue a receipt, never pay VAT, never pay Income Tax i'd rather go abroad for less money. Greedy people they have become, not to mention rich (off the Maltese people's backs. How dare they complain?

J Tabone

Jan 7th, 13:03

The 3 euro max that a Maltese saves on d ferry when coming to Gozo is nothing against what he/she has to spend in a restaurant. It is these prices that must be controlled! A meal for four persons costs twice or three times the rentals for an apartment per night!

The cost of a holiday in Gozo for a week is the same or more than a similar holiday abroad! Given this choice I'd go abroad anyday!

Anthony Arpa

Jan 7th, 13:02

This is very true .... Yes for those Maltese who are able to organise their own holiday a 4 night holiday abroad by a low cost airline + hotel booked truogh a booking agenzy abraod will works out cheaper then booking a 4 night in a gozo hotel .. But what must be done is that Gozitans must compete and hotels in Gozo must put their hight rate down ...

R Mallia

Jan 7th, 12:56

the VAT department does not exist in Gozo, it only do its rounds in Malta.

A. Mifsud

Jan 7th, 12:54

It's not about low cost but about value for money. For ages the Gozitans seemed to have ignored this reality believing that the good times will last forever. Evidently it was proved otherwise.

Mr Mark Borh

Jan 7th, 12:52

This is as relevant as shop owners saying that internet shops are affecting them. Markets change, so find a way to adapt and be competitive, punto e basta.

Eric Cartman

Jan 7th, 12:52

Maybe Gozitan establishments should become more competitive instead of inflating prices to tourists and stop making us Maltese feel unwelcome whenever we cross over, i.e. 'Hars bl-ikrah'.

Another factor is that many have been to Gozo for countless times over the years and would prefer a change of scene, and cheap flights make weekends abroad much more affordable.

Joseph Borg

Jan 7th, 12:49

And what about hotel prices. Even in Winter these are exorbant.

Adriano Spiteri

Jan 7th, 12:48

Mr Montebello is right
Why are they asking for a VAT reduction when most of them issue no receipts? Or is the VAT department not concerned about evasion in Gozo?

Maltese citizens are already paying more for the ferry service. It is ridiculous.

Franco Attard Trevisan

Jan 7th, 12:46

how many times are we Maltese expected to go on 'vacation' to Gozo?? Isn't it normal for people to explore lands that are a little further than our tiny islands especially given that it would practically cost the same (if not less)?!

R Saliba

Jan 7th, 12:44

well, it is cheaper to go for a weekend somewhere in Europe with the low cost airlines available rather then go spend a few days in Gozo - a trip to Sicily for 4 days costed me less than a weekend stay in Gozo

David Delmar

Jan 7th, 12:43

All the same here,We Maltese do not get the same treatment as the Gozitans does!!! That is why I ended up never going to Gozo.We get robbed and pay fines when we step there.

J. Muscat

Jan 7th, 12:43

Dear Gozitans I love the island and from a very frequent visitor (as much as once a month) I have become a once a year visitor and its not because of the the low cost airlines no.

Gozo has remained stuck with nothing new to offer. Agro tourism is ideal and yet it has not flourished. Decent Hotel and Spas are too expensive. The rent of farmhouses is also exorbitant!

J. Pace

Jan 7th, 12:41

yes different menus in restaurants - if you are maltese / foreigner one menu, if you are gozitan, another menu. I never went again to Gozo after this incident - 6 years now...and probably will never go again.

Adriano Spiteri

Jan 7th, 12:40

VAT reduction on accommodation to 5-7%
Now this proposal is ridiculous!

Gozo is being ruined with new buildings. Soon it will become a mini-Malta, a jungle of concrete.
Gozitans have not exploited the full potential of the gem. I do agree with the exploitation of niche areas too but "religious travel" ....

http://i.imgur.com/0mPTb.jpg
At the Gozo General Hospital!

Carmel Farrugia

Jan 7th, 12:39

Less Maltese are going to Gozo as vistors from Malta are considered as 2nd class citizens in Gozo and not welcome guests.

Kevin Camilleri

Jan 7th, 12:36

Well, apart from comments below, which I do not think that they are always fair as I go to Gozo regularly and have been rarely ripped off, although once someone tried. The issues is that as Maltese, who have been to gozo for 30 or more times, if with the same price or something more we can visit a foreign country, we will take that opportunity. However, I still love Gozo and it is great to relax!

Michael Zammit

Jan 7th, 12:36

I suggest GTA to visit www.holiday-rentals.co.uk and see the variety of accommodations, including beautiful Farmhouses with pools, that are available around Europe and that are cheaper than those available in Gozo. I managed to find flights and lodging for other places in Europe at far cheaper price!!!! E.g: 1 week Farmhouse in Tuscany - Eur370 for 4 pax, etc.

alexandra ene

Jan 7th, 12:35

Gozo problem is the extra charge on delivery from Malta to Gozo,because everything arrives in Malta,so the Maltese pay only the transport from abroad.
If in Gozo we'd have the same opportunities of Malta the prices would be the same.So in Gozo we are penalized because we are isolated, without custom and commercial harbour.help us build a comm.harbour.and you'll see the same prices of Malta.

Joe A. Borg

Jan 7th, 12:31

We don't go to Gozo because we are fed up of being robbed!

Peter Montebello

Jan 7th, 12:29

Seems that you are reaping what you have sown for a very long time. Also regarding VAT, how many of the outles do, in fact, issue Vat Receipts and Pay? Notice that I did not ask for outlets who collect VAT.

anton portelli

Jan 7th, 12:29

The gozo tourism authority should have a word with the localwardens who only issue traffic tickets to maltese cars while the gozitans park where they please.And how about the prices of farmhouses//restaurants//drinks etc etc .Like somebody said here YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.!

B. Storace

Jan 7th, 12:21

Better deals for foreign travel are advertised daily. If you also offer people value for money they will return; if the mentality is to get rich quick, then you're barking up the wrong tree. A tunnel will be the ruination of Gozo instead increase the number of ferries and include ones for passengers only and introducing more frequent crossings will help too.

Sammy Vella

Jan 7th, 12:20

I assume that the GTA knows well enough the reason why Maltese opt to travel abroad instead of crossing to Gozo. They know well how we Maltese are ripped off when we visit Gozo and that we are looked upon as unwelcome visitors by many accomodation owners and restauranteurs and staffs.
having said that how does the GTA expect us Maltese to spendtime in Gozo when a holiday abroad works out cheaper?

Albert Debono

Jan 7th, 12:18

that might be one of the reasons....but it would be good for gozitans to look inwards too and realise they sometimes over do it with pricing and value for money. Admittedly, as always this cannot be said for all gozitans.

R Cauchi

Jan 7th, 12:18

With all due respect, I paying 50 Euro with ryanair and go for a weekend to Bologna, Florence, Turin and so many other beautiful places which so much culture and good food to offer rather than going to Gozo to be ripped off!

J Farrugia

Jan 7th, 12:17

Boo hoo, whats the matter ghawdxin your over inflated prices coming back to bite you in the bum are they, what happened to maghniex bzonn il maltin. reap what you sow.

cesco di luigi

Jan 7th, 12:15

Good morning guys, welcome to the real world of the free market and competition. If you want us to come to Gozo, YOU are the ones who have to drastically cut your prices, not the Gozo Ferry. And by the way, Maltese also want sheets on their beds in the farmhouse, not just foreigners. Take note!!

Charles Bayliss

Jan 7th, 12:14

sorry GTA you are wrong. what is hurting Gozo is the excessive prices some bars, restaurants and grocers charge Maltese and foreigners. One example my English uncle went to buy a 2 Ltr bottle of water from Qala some years ago and he was charged Euro 5 because he speaks only English.

Another factor that is hurting Gozo are Local Councils/Wardens.

Jeremy Lanfranco

Jan 7th, 12:14

Another proposal the GTA should make is for its members to compete with foreign lodging establishments for short stays. This will make the low cost travel not feasable for Maltese travellers.

Victor Vella

Jan 7th, 12:12

Ah they now realize that we Maltese do not allow anyone to steal our hard earned cash.Besides it is cheaper to spend 5 nights in Spain then in Gozo.

J Drury

Jan 7th, 12:12

The GTA should look into why 'some' Maltese prefer going abroad rather then going for a short break to our sister island? I personally find it cheaper going abroad for a short break abroad rather then spending a short break in Gozo where I find price for quality in Gozo is well over priced compared to a short break using a low cost airline or a local travel agency offering short breaks abroad!

Edward Curmi

Jan 7th, 12:11

Well maybe if our fellow gozitans did not suck our pockets dry we would not opt to go abroad !!!