A few more weeks to go and it’s back to the usual routine for many families. As a Gozitan, I feel I must express a very big thank you to the many Maltese and foreign visitors who chose to spend their annual summer holiday in Gozo. They have helped the island’s economy in no uncertain terms.

It goes without saying that Gozo suffers tremendously from double insularity. Its business and progress are extremely seasonal. When one buys a licence to operate a business it covers 12 months, but the fact remains that most businesses operate at full capacity for just three out of the 12, if that.

Here, I feel I must urge the authorities to give a bigger push to advertising the island and its assets. Also, to plan better; not to embark on dusty projects in the middle of the tourist or holiday season and to forbid construction of whatever form from taking place in holiday areas during this time.

I also appeal to the warden company to urge its ever zealous men-in-arms to use more common sense and educate the visitor rather than giving them a “don’t come again” calling card. I am not referring to the drivers who completely disregard the rule of law but one has to be practical in certain cases.

Accessibility plays a very important part in Gozo’s survival. A large number of visitors complain that the air service between Malta International Airport and Gozo has been suspended since 2006, when there appear to be some companies ready to embark on a sustainable service, after studies had been done. A decision is badly needed in this respect.

It is always difficult for many in the business to make both ends meet, because of various factors. The Eco-Gozo concept has not yet yielded the desired results. At the moment all one can see is dry brown earth under the hot summer sun. Perhaps the winter months will give more meaning to this idea, with country walks, but I wonder how many visitors this would attract. It remains to be seen.

There has always been the urge by some to make the easy buck. There are instances of a small bottle of soft drink being sold for €2.50 and ice creams for nearly €2. Little do they know the bad publicity this is creating. Surely some form of control should be launched immediately, as these irresponsible individuals are giving a very bad name to the island in general.

Gozo is a lovely island and enjoyable from whatever angle one sees it. To enjoy it, one has to know what one is looking for.

Again a very big thank you, and please come again.

I have no vested interest in saying this. I just love my island.