Hoteliers and shop owners fear the summer tourism boom will be no more in Xlendi as the noise and disruption of construction works take over in Gozo’s popular seaside village.

The Times of Malta reported on the problem last month after the Gozo Tourism Authority called for action when tourists started to leave Xlendi because of the disturbance caused by excavation works.

Yet, while excavation is regulated by the Summer Break Time Directive, the restrictions to construction work in such tourist zones are limited.

“Building works in Xlendi start at 7am and continue until at least 7pm.  There are currently two piling cranes, a concrete pump, an overhead crane and mobile cranes. There are also numerous lorries delivering building material every day,” one hotelier complained.

As a result, tourists were packing their bags the day after arriving, to the disappointment of those hosting them. The number of day visitors has also dropped, as the word spreads that the area is like a construction site.

“Tourists save all year round for a two-week holiday only to be met with a building site when they arrive in Xlendi. We are aware of numerous tourists who have left after one day due to ongoing building works, dust and noise.

“Locals and tourists alike insist these building works should be stopped immediately for the remainder of the summer,” the owners said.

Contacted about the issue, Building Regulations Office head Michael Ferry told this newspaper that not much could be done to stop the works, so long as these were carried out during the day.

“With excavation there are very stringent rules in place. Construction works cannot be stopped abruptly and while it is understandable that this can be annoying at times, there is not much that can be done,” Mr Ferry said.  He urged those who carry out such works to be as prudent as possible and avoid working during certain hours so as to minimise the disturbance.