Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiFollowing the recent release of Regional Tourism Demand (2014-2016) by the National Office of Statistics, the Gozo Tourism Association notes some very interesting data that to this day was never available. Thanks to this release, new light is being shed on the composite trends and guest profile affecting the tourism sector in Gozo.
This data clearly indicates the sustained positive increases in tourist arrivals in Gozo, from both the foreign and domestic markets. In fact, foreign tourist arrivals in Gozo in 2016 reached 189,858, an increase of 14.6 per cent over 2015 figures.
This increase positively affected the number of bed nights spent by foreign tourists on the island. Bed night figures reached 1,112,479, reflecting an increase of 11 per cent over the previous year. The average length of stay of foreign tourists in all Gozitan accommodation units added up to 5.86 nights.
The NSO statistics cover for the first time data related to tourists bound only to Gozo, as well as tourists who opt for a twin-centred holiday (overnighting in Gozo and in Malta). Of the total 189,858 tourist arrivals, 105,174 or 55 per cent came on a twin-centred holiday, while the other 84,684, or 45 per cent, are tourists who overnighted in Gozo only.
During 2016, the number of foreign tourists who came to Gozo only increased by 10,135 or 13.6 per cent on 2015. The twin-centred tourists in 2016 increased by 14,142 or 15.5 per cent when compared to 2015 figures.
However, it is relevant to add that while the mix of foreign arrivals is almost equally divided between twin-centred and Gozo-only tourists, the bed nights spent by Gozo-only tourists totalled 820,718, or 74 per cent of the total bed nights, with an average length of stay of 9.7 nights. On the other hand, the twin-centred tourists spent 291,761 bed nights, or 26 per cent of the total bed nights, with an average length of stay of 2.77 nights.
Another facet of these statistics shows the type of accommodation the tourists opted to stay in while in Gozo. Of the 84,684 tourists who came only on holiday, 32 per cent stayed in collective accommodation. It is worth highlighting that this includes hotels, guesthouses, boutique hotels, B&Bs, hostels, and tourist villages.
Furthermore, 43 per cent of the Gozo-only tourists stayed in self-catering units, comprising apartments, farmhouses, villas and houses of character, while 25 per cent stayed in private residences.
On the other hand, the accommodation used by tourists who came to Gozo on a twin-centred holiday indicates a different scenario. Out of 105,174 tourists, 53 per cent opted for collective accommodation, while 31 per cent preferred to overnight in self-catering units.
It is a known fact in the Gozitan tourism trade that the domestic guest is generally a very good customer with substantial spending power while on holiday
The remaining 16 per cent of the twin-centred tourists stayed in private accommodation.
Another component of the Gozitan tourism market relates to the important segment of the domestic sector, which registered an increase in arrivals. According to the NSO data, domestic tourist arrivals in Gozo in 2016 reached 221,703, a 10 per cent increase over 2015.
As expected, the average length of stay of Maltese in all types of Gozitan accommodation was 2.7 nights, since this market is mostly weekend based. Out of the 221,703 Maltese, 94,089 or 42 per cent stayed in self-catering units, registering an increase of 16.6 per cent when compared to 2015.
In 2016, a total 77,205 Maltese, or 34.8 per cent, stayed in private accommodation, which represents an increase in arrivals of 14 per cent. The only dark spot on an extremely white sheet came from the collective accommodation sector. In fact, this segment registered a decrease of 4,017 domestic arrivals, or seven per cent less when compared with 2015.
It is a known fact in the Gozitan tourism trade that the domestic guest is generally a very good customer with substantial spending power while on holiday. This was once again confirmed by the NSO statistics which reported an expenditure in this segment of over €37 million in Gozo in 2016, reflecting an increase of 26.8 per cent on 2015.
This figure represents an expenditure of €167 per arrival per stay, or a 16 per cent increase when compared to the €144 per arrival per stay registered in 2015. It is also worth mentioning that the €37 million expenditure was spent as follows: 6.5 per cent on travelling between Malta-Gozo-Malta, 32.6 per cent on accommodation, and 60.8 per cent on other services.
Another aspect arising from the profile of the inbound foreign tourist to Gozo reflects the type and mode of travel. Worth noting is that 51 per cent of the Gozo-only tourists used low-cost airlines, while the other 49 per cent travelled by the legacy carriers or other airlines. Another trend which the tourism sector has been experiencing for some time is the fact that 26 per cent of tourists to Gozo booked a packaged holiday, while an ever-increasing figure of 74 per cent opted for a non-packaged holiday.
Finally, Gozo continued with its reputation as a preferred destination with repeat guests. In 2016, 46 per cent of tourists were repeat tourists.
The Gozo Tourism Association considers these statistics an important means to understand better the tourism sector in Gozo. Such information should make all tourism stakeholders more aware of the prevailing trends in this sector. It is our belief that this official information should also be the basis of future decisions that affect the tourism industry in Gozo.
While acknowledging that these positive results augur well for better prospects in the Gozitan tourism industry, the Gozo Tourism Association, believes that we cannot sit on our laurels. More has to be done by all stakeholders in order to sustain these results.
As an association representing the touristic private sector in Gozo, GTA would like to thank the National Office of Statistics and especially the Gozo Office in Victoria, for their input in the compilation of this important and interesting data.
Joe Muscat is CEO of the Gozo Tourism Association.