6.1% increase in Gozo visitors during first nine months

The first nine months of the year saw the number of visitors visiting Gozo increase by 6.1% when compared with the corresponding period last year, the Gozo Ministry said.

On the other hand, the number of nights stayed increase by 9%.

September's increase offset the national level as Gozo visitors increased by 13.3% while the increase in visitors to Malta went up by 6.4%, considerably lower than the Gozitan rates.

In a statement the Gozo Ministry paid tribute to the numerous operators that have shored up the tourism industry during the first nine of the months of the year, which have in the past been characterised by slow movement and slow business.

Particularly, last year many visitors were offset by the recurring road works on Malta's sister island.

The final three months of the year also expected to report a considerable increase, mainly due to the record 28.000 visitors that crossed Gozo during the free travel weekend between Friday 15th and Sunday 17th November.

The Gozo Tourism Association and the Ministry spearheaded the initiative that sought to strengthen the Gozitan domestic market through the winter months.