From big hotels to small village restaurants, it was a bonanza for Gozitan business over the five-day Santa Marija period as more than 90,000 passengers crossed over.

Figures from Gozo Channel show a small increase of about 300 in the number who used the ferry between August 13 and August 17 over the same period last year.

The number of vehicles also increased slightly to just over 20,000, Gozo Channel chairman Joe Cordina said when contacted.

The ferry company made an average of 60 trips a day, practically a shuttle service.

“A comparison of the numbers shows a slight improvement over last year but I would say we were on the same level,” he said.

He added that the fact that Santa Marija fell on a Friday this year helped boost figures.

Gozo Channel reported an increase in passengers over Santa Marija. Photos: Darrin Zammit Lupi

This factor was also cited by Gozo Tourism Association chief executive Joe Muscat. Accommodation during the Santa Marija period – whether in hotels, self-catering apartments or farmhouses – had long been sold out with requests still pouring in until the last minute, he said. Every hotel bed on the sister island – nearly 2,000 – was occupied.

“I still do not have the official figures in hand but hotels, farmhouses and self-catering apartments all reported a positive Santa Marija weekend,” he said.

Restaurants, whether in the tourism zones of places like Mġarr, Marsalforn and Xlendi or beyond, were equally pleased.

“From the feedback we have received so far, it seems business was spread all over the island.

“Even restaurants in the small villages reported an improvement,” he said.

Mr Muscat said the association had also received positive reports about the number of Maltese who have a second home or a summer residence on Gozo crossing over to spend the weekend.

“The indications so far show we were on the same level as previous years. We’re talking about averages here because there were a few who said they did not perform as well, but that’s the situation in every scenario of supply and demand,” Mr Muscat said.

“The number of catering establishments has mushroomed, as has the accommodation sector.

“What I can say for certain is that all the 1,734 hotel beds were taken up,” he said.

Gozitans seek Malta for peace

While the Maltese gleefully flock to Gozo for the Santa Marija weekend, some Gozitans look forward to precisely the same time of year to get away from the mass influx until their island returns to normal.

One of them is Stephen Vella, who packs his bags and crosses over to Malta for a relaxing weekend break at a hotel.

“Usually I choose places like Mellieħa or St Paul’s Bay because it’s close to home, if you know what I mean, but this year we chose to stay in Sliema and I don’t regret it,” he said.