Budget acknowledges Gozo’s needs – Gozo Tourism Association

CEO Joe Muscat describes budget as “realistic and objective”

The Chief Executive Officer of the Gozo Tourism Association (GTA), Joe Muscat, has described the budgetary measures announced yesterday as "positive". 

"The GTA believes that the measure to increase the financial allocation to the Malta Tourism Authority by another €1,500,000, extending it to €38,500,000, together with the €15,000,000 allocated for the restructuring process of Air Malta and additional new air routes are positive measures towards an important industry like tourism," Muscat said. 

He said that the fact that Gozo was a distinct destination was once again being acknowledged in this budget by the allocation for the fourth consecutive year of the sum of €500,000 to the Directorate of Tourism and Economic Development, within the Ministry for Gozo, for the promotion of Gozo as a distinct tourist destination. 

"This budget is also acknowledging several proposals put forward by the Gozo Tourism Association, including, the opening of a branch of the 'National Statistics Office' on Gozo and the study on the extension of the existing airstrip on Gozo. Furthermore, the sum of €200,000 is being allocated for schemes intended to promote Gozo with the domestic market," he said. 

Other measures in the budget include the sum voted for the 'Cinema Digitalization Scheme' which will help the existing establishments on Gozo to upgrade their facilities to enhance the tourism product on the island. 

"The GTA also welcomes the sum of €2,000,000 being voted for the renewal of the Employment Aid Programme in Gozo. Furthermore, GTA believes that the Gozitan tourism product will benefit from the 8% increase of the Ministry for Gozo allocation," he said. 

"The GTA notes that this is a realistic and objective budget that is acknowledging Gozo's needs, whilst addressing them with specific measures," he said.