GTA welcomes Budget, criticises missing air-link

Gozo Tourism Association CEO Joe Muscat welcomed the additional allocation of €1 million to the Malta Tourism Authority, which brings the total financial allocation to €36,000,000. "Together with the €20 million allocated for the restructuring of the Air Malta, these are positive measures to sustain an important industry like tourism," Muscat said.

In his statement, Muscat said the budget also acknowledges Gozo as "a distinct destination" and welcomed the allocation of €500,000, for the second consecutive year, to the Directorate of Tourism and Economic Development within the Gozo Minsitry. "This will help in the marketing of Gozo as a distinct tourist destination," he said.

Muscat added that budget has acknowledged the licensing scheme for Gozitan self-catering units - one of the proposals put forward by the GTA: "This requires an overhaul. Next year, government will be launching a consultation process with the stakeholders on how to revise this sector's licenses. This revision is to provide more incentives for quality standards and investment in the self-catering sector."

The GTA however criticised the fact that no mention was made to the missing air-link between the two islands although further feasibility studies on the permanent link were announced.

"This budget also missed out on measures like the proposed seasonal Gozo Channel fares to entice domestic tourism to Gozo during the winter months," Muscat said.

The Association also expressed hope that the €4 million allocated to the Eco-Gozo vision to be invested in alternative energy, will prove beneficial to the tourist establishments to cut electricity costs.