Vienna's Ares Tower overlooking the River Danube was the venue for a workshop organised recently by the Malta Tourism Authority as part of its drive to promote Gozo as a tourism destination.

More than 75 Viennese travel agents accepted the MTA's invitation to learn more about Gozo while seven of the authority's Gozo trade partners travelled to Vienna specifically for the event. These were the Gozo Tourism Association, Calypso Diving Centre, First Gozo, Frankie's Gozo Diving Centre, Helicopteros del Sureste, Kempinski San Lawrenz Hotel and Spa and St Andrew's Divers Cove.

All those who took part in this event were enthusiastic about its outcome, the MTA said.

It was clear, the authority added, that the Austrian trade was impressed by Gozo's unspoilt and rural character, together with its range of quality accommodation options, ranging from five-star hotels to farmhouses and apartments "marrying a sense of timelessness with comfort".

A few agents also won prizes, including return flights on Air Malta, Malta-Gozo return helicopter tickets and a week's stay in a farmhouse with a pool.

Other agents charmed by the island admitted that they are very keen to travel on their own steam to experience Gozo first hand, the MTA said.