Gozo Tourism Association proposes ferry fare changes

Gozo Channel should introduce a seasonal ticketing system and lower fares for non-Gozitan passengers, the Gozo Tourism Association (GTA) has said. 

In a statement regarding the proposals for the upcoming budget, the Gozo Tourism Association outlined a number of issues to be addressed.

With regards to the ferry fares, the association suggested a seasonal ticketing system, whereby tickets would be sold at a different price depending on the time of year. The proposal suggested January, February, November and December as low season, March, April and May as mid season, and June, July, August, September and October as high season.

The Gozo Tourism Association also repeated previous proposals that during the low and mid seasons all non-Gozitan passengers and vehicles crossings during the weekends are to be charged at rates relative to the Gozitan residents fare. “For this reason, the GTA is therefore proposing that an increase on the current estimates the sum of €200,000 allocated for such a scheme to the Gozo Ministry, since this sum covers only four weekends,” it said.

The association also suggested that funds should be allocated for another study to identify an alternative site for the construction of the airstrip other then the earmarked one at ta’ Lambert in Xewkija, Gozo.

In 2014, plans for a 900-metre-long rural airfield in the area were forwarded to Brussels. Documents reportedly showed that the government intended to construct a fully-fledged airstrip, capable of handling international flights, by the end of 2017.

Others proposals include the setting up of a shuttle service between Malta International Airport and the Cirkewwa ferry terminal in order to minimise the transfer costs of the MIA-Cirkewwa sector, fast-tracking studies into a Gozo-Valletta fast ferry, and the introduction of a ferry guaranteed boarding – a scheme intended to facilitate tourists connecting with incoming and outgoing flights, thus saving on lost overnights in the Gozitan accommodation.

Furthermore, in light of the ceased bi-weekly operations, the GTA proposed that heavy transport vehicles that cross over to Malta in night trips should not be charged.