‘Encouraging signs that 2022 is going to truly be the recovery year’ – Gozo Tourism Association

An online survey conducted by the Gozo Tourism Association (GTA) found a markedly improved performance during the first four months of the year, when compared to 2021.

The survey, conducted among its members, focused on the performance of Gozitan tourism establishments during the first four months of 2022, the Easter period as well as on issues related to human resources.

The encouraging response to this survey from Gozitan tourism operators covered a spread across the tourism sector on Gozo. The categories that filled in the survey were coming from the Accommodation sectors, Restaurants, Diving Centres, Tourist Attractions, Transport, Tour operators, DMCs, Travel Agencies, Real Estate and Tourism Consultancy firms.

“The survey confirmed the positive effect on the business generated by the Gozitan tourism establishments during the January to April period, showing encouraging signs that 2022 is going to be really and truly the recovery year.”

In fact, 53 per cent of the establishments reported more business on previous the previous four months of 2021, with 33 per cent stating that their performance was equal to that of the first four months 2021, while 13 per cent reported less business than the period of 2021.

This improvement was corroborated further when 57 per cent of respondents declared that the performance of the foreign market on their business was better than that of 2021, with 30 per cent stating that the performance of this market was equal to that of the January to April period of 2021.

The respondents of this survey were also requested to gauge the effects of the Easter period on their establishment’s performance.

More than half of participants, 60 per cent declared that the Easter period of 2022 fared better than 2021, while 27 per cent stated that during the past Easter period, their business faired on the same levels of 2021.

On the other hand, 13 per cent reported less business during the Easter period in 2022 when compared to 2021. The tourism operators were also asked about the revenue generated during the first four months of 2022. A proportion of 53 per cent stated that this period was better than 2021, while 30 per cent declared that it was on the same levels of the past year and 13 per cent reported that it was less the year 2021. When asked about their business constraints, 77 per cent of respondents blamed the increase in operating costs.

Another prevalent constraint was mentioned by 74 per cent of respondents was the staff shortage. Furthermore 61 per cent of respondents declared that their 70 per cent or more of their staff compliment is made up of foreign workers.

Finally, from this survey it transpired that 43 per cent of respondents are envisaging better business during 2022 than 2021, with another 23 per cent are predicting very promising year but not exceeding results of 2019.