Gozitan businesses are gearing up for the busiest weekend of the year as thousands of Maltese tourists cross the channel for Santa Marija weekend, with some restaurant owners hoping it can make up for a lean summer to date.

Last year, more than 90,000 people and 20,000 vehicles took the Gozo ferry in the days surrounding Santa Marija and according to Joe Muscat, CEO of the Gozo Tourism Association, expectations are high for huge numbers once again.

“It is expected that, as is customary, this weekend will turn out to be the best weekend of the year,” he said. “We are also hoping that the present unstable weather does not deter people from coming over to Gozo, although the forecasted weather for the upcoming weekend is very good.”

Mr Muscat said the influx of domestic tourists, coupled with the peak season for foreign ones, would create a welcome challenge for the accommodation and restaurant sectors to meet the demand.

A search of several booking websites yesterday revealed that accommodation is once again in huge demand, with virtually no availability in the island’s multiple hotels, farmhouses and apartments a few days ahead of the weekend.

Mr Muscat said the summer period had been generally “OK” for tourism to date, although the expected peak only hit relatively late, in July.

“Extending the summer period further in the month of October and pushing for an earlier start in the peak time is an ongoing challenge for all stakeholders involved in the sector,” he added.

However, George Sacco, who owns a popular restaurant in Xlendi, said business in the first few months of the summer had been very poor compared to previous years.

He attributed the decline in Xlendi to infrastructural and parking issues, but said similar trends could be seen across Gozo.

“From what we’re hearing, the boats are full, so perhaps more people are staying in farmhouses and apartments and not going out to eat,” he said.

Mr Sacco also said that more Maltese people were travelling to nearby destinations such as Sicily, and said that Gozo was struggling to compete, due to a lack of cultural activities and investment in beaches.

Michael Xuereb, who operates a number of farmhouses across the island, said occupancy had been high throughout the summer, but the lean months continued to be of concern.

“Demand has to grow on all fronts. We need to increase the demand for people to come to Gozo in summer for the winter demand to grow,” he said.