GTA puts forward Budget proposals highlighting Gozo’s need to remain competitive in its product offering

On Wednesday (today), the Gozo Tourism Association (GTA) announced its proposals for the upcoming Government budget for the year 2025.

In its introductory remarks, the association highlighted that tourism is Gozo’s main economic pillar, and the success of the sector is based on the island’s uniqueness.

GTA commented that Gozo has always been projected, marketed and promoted as a different destination, centred on its singular characteristics, natural and rural landscapes, and its distinctive chequered history.

It remarked that despite the push to continue building on its distinctiveness in both the Malta Tourism (MTA) and Gozo Regional Development Authority’s Strategy 2021 – 2030, “more needs to be done to effectively ensure that tourism in Gozo is able to move forward in line with the policies.”

The association also commented that “the Gozitan tourism sector is continuously expressing its concern about the direction in which destination Gozo is being marketed and promoted,” GTA added.

It emphasised that as a touristic destination, Gozo has to be prepared to offer the advertised and marketed touristic product.

“The upkeep, cleanliness and organisation of Gozo as well as that of the touristic establishments are to reflect and match the expectations of the visitors to the island. Furthermore, Gozo has to remain competitive in the product and services on offer, whilst ensuring that the visitors get the value for money spent,” GTA continued.

With this reasoning in mind, the association categorised its proposals into five pillars: connectivity, the environment, the product, promoting the destination and the human capital.

1 ) Connectivity

GTA proposed to retain, improve and sustain the fast ferry service while also building a new fourth ferry, identical to the existing fleet to replace the Nikolaus, a ferry which has been highly criticised in the past.

It noted that while the additions to the sea link between Malta and Gozo have “improved immensely” Gozo is still awaiting the development of the airlink. Therefore, the proposals put further emphasis on the commencement of the development of the airfield for the fixed wing airlink between the two islands.

In addition, while improving berthing and welcoming facilities, the GTA proposed the introduction of a first-aid paramedic in case of emergencies for cruise ships and their passengers.

GTA is also recommending that, for frequent travellers and tourists that make use of public transport to travel between the islands, an integrated mart ticketing system is to be introduced. This would allow them to commute on the fast ferry, Gozo Channel Service and Malta Transport service with a single common ticket.

Interestingly, GTA also recommended the identification, improvement and equipment of landing places for cruise tenders in Xlendi, Marsalforn, ix-Xatt l-Aħmar and Ħondoq ir-Rummien.

2 ) The environment

In terms of the environment, the association believes that the Government should develop a new regional plan and policies specifically designed for Gozo to preserve it as an island of villages within a modern world.

It noted that incentives for all vernacular and post-war properties, including in Urban Conservation Areas (UCA) where the buyer undertakes to preserve the integrity of the property, should be extended.

In addition, it proposed retaining the existing incentives on sale and purchase of properties in UCAs where the purchaser signs a guarantee to restore the property without subdivision.

GTA also proposed the “introduction of a fiscal incentive scheme to encourage the restoration and conversion of existing traditional properties and bring them back to life as residential homes or boutique hotels.”

Its final environmental proposal states that the government should establish a marine reserve around the Gozitan coast and ensure its enforcement, applying the model of the Ċirkewwa marine reserve.

3 ) Product

As one of its most crucial pillars, GTA recognised that with regards to infrastructural works, restoration and renovation works in Gozo “are to be applauded and are a must in order to give the Gozitan touristic product a much-awaited uplift.”

This includes works like the Mġarr-Nadur Road, the By the Bastion road diversion and the commencement of the Marsalforn-Victoria Road.

Furthermore it highlighted the investment in the building of rubble walls in the rural areas as well as the construction of the Gozo Museum and the nearly completed Gozo Natatorium, and the park and ride facility at ta’ Xhajma.

While appreciating these efforts, GTA proposed further incentives to improve Gozo’s image as a touristic destination. This includes:

• Developing an underground mutlilevel parking space in Victoria to alleviate the lack of parking spaces and lessen traffic going around the capital looking for parking space.

• Introduce specific initiatives for the preservation and promotion of Gozo’s cultural and heritage sites, which would include partnerships with international heritage organisations.

• Fast track the amendements to the Tourism Act 1999 to reflect the new trends in tourism establishments.

• Introduce a tailor-made Tourism Investment Support Scheme (TISS) to attract local entrepreneurs to upgrade their Gozitan tourist establishments. Here the GTA noted that such a scheme can be financed and piloted by the Ministry for Gozo and that for Tourism.

• Ring fence the ECO contribution collected from Gozitan accomodation establishments and invest it in product upgrading like kitting up areas for the diving community.

In this pillar GTA also emphasised on the improvement of a prominent niche sector on the island, diving. Namely it recommended for a larger hyperbaric oxygen chamber at the Gozo General Hospital.

The association is also asking the government to ensure and enforce the right of access to the diving sector for the shoreline on the north and north west of Gozo.

Additionally, proposed the allocation of funds to implement the actions for the Gozitan diving sector, as listed in the Diving Strategy for the Maltese Islands.

Furthermore, joining the environmental and the product pillars, the GTA is urging the competent authorities to amend the summer construction break time directive.

“GTA proposes that excavation and demolition works be prohibited within a 50-meter radius of any MTA licensed premises. This directive should extend across the entirety of Gozo, rather than being confined to a selected few streets,” the association commented.

4 ) Promoting the destination

In this pillar, GTA focuses on the re-introduction of an extended stays scheme. This would be for specific periods for the individual traveller and it proposed that it be broadened to incentivise tour operators specialising in winter breaks and longer stays to market and sell Gozo during “the low months.”

GTA is proposing assisting and incentivising touristic establishments to set up their respective user-friendly websites. These would be multilingual, include online payments and craft online booking systems that are available through mobile devices and tablets, while optimising the use of social media influencers and virtual reality tours.

It also emphasised on the creation and support of new niches like adventure, activity, sports, walking, digital nomads and well-being.

5) Human capital

For its final pillar, the GTA insisted that for Gozo to continue offering good quality service, Gozitan operators need assistance to train and retain staff during difficult winter months.

The GTA therefore proposed setting up a scheme to assist employers and employees attending a comprehensive list of training courses. These would cover a wide range of topics tailor made for Gozitan touristic needs including the upskilling of staff, to address today’s demands and technologies.

In addition, it suggested the courses targeting foreign employees to learn the basics of the Maltese and English language, as well the history, culture and basic legal regulations of the islands.

Furthermore, it proposed the introduction of a grant scheme for local students who opt to work during the weekends or their holidays in Gozitan tourism establishments.

“In order to entice foreign staff retention, the Government should amend the legislation so that once TCN employees quit their job, they need to reapply from the beginning through their prospective employer in order to obtain their work permit anew,” the GTA said.

In addition, it is recommending the introduction of a national insurance contribution credit for the winter months in order to encourage retention of employees during off-peak months.

GTA believes that the ITS Gozo Campus needs to be developed into a specialised vocational tourism institution that caters not only to Gozitans but also to Maltese and foreign students who opt to follow specific courses.

For its final proposal, the GTA is asking the Government to ensure that the public sector “is no longer in competition with the private sector for the recruitment of employees by offering favourable and umatched working conditions.”

It remarked that the touristic private sector is to be encouraged to introduce flexible working hours and offer favourable conditions and incentives for career progression.