The Times of Malta today published a letter by the Secretary of the Gozo Tourism Association (GTA).
Basically the GTA referred to Franco Scicluna's previous letter to the Times entitles 'Serious Inter-island Air Service'.
The GTA reiterated that "since its inception in February 1999, our stand regarding the air link between Malta and Gozo has always been in favour of an air strip"
The GTA states that "The association and its members are living the experience of the absence of an air strip and are fully aware what tourism on Gozo is losing through this lack of alternative service".
A quite strong and much debatable statement by the GTA is this one: "The future of the tourism industry on Gozo relies on the availability of an air strip" and in order to tone this done, the secretary of the GTA added "...well situated and blending with the Gozitan countryside".
The GTA statement concluded by encouraging the government to "to take the bold decision in favour of an air strip and surely in favour of Gozo."
BOLD indeed. Is this what the GTA will be proposing for the eco-gozo project? Hope not!
Interesting are some of the comments published on The Times on-line.
Here they are:
emanuel bajada
The GTA Secretary would better tackle the issue of the construction works ongoing in Xlendi and Marsalforn destroying the holiday of hundreds of holidaymakers in both resorts. What is the use of wooing holiday makers to the island offering first class air link service to find construction rogues waking them at 6 in the morning with all type of excavation, shattering noise from construction machinery and shouting.
If Mr Muscat wants his association to be credible he should explain why Xlendi and Marsalforn had since last year lost the status of a touristic area for construction purposes bar 5 streets in each location. He should tell us what the association has done to have competent authority reinstate this status for this 2 important tourist resorts. Glad to know this have been corrected since the 7th instant for which I would like to thank Mr. David Apap area manager MTA and also Parliamentary Sec. Hon Chris Said for their efforts for having the relevant authority correcting this anomaly. Now it is up to competent enforcement authorities to see that this new legislation is adhered too. Our visitor's holiday is destroyed by construction works not because there is no air link !!!!
If Mr Muscat wants his association to be credible he should explain why Xlendi and Marsalforn had since last year lost the status of a touristic area for construction purposes bar 5 streets in each location. He should tell us what the association has done to have competent authority reinstate this status for this 2 important tourist resorts. Glad to know this have been corrected since the 7th instant for which I would like to thank Mr. David Apap area manager MTA and also Parliamentary Sec. Hon Chris Said for their efforts for having the relevant authority correcting this anomaly. Now it is up to competent enforcement authorities to see that this new legislation is adhered too. Our visitor's holiday is destroyed by construction works not because there is no air link !!!!
M. galea
We have the GTA reacting again where it suits the books of some of its businessman-members.
"The future of the tourism industry on Gozo relies on the availability of an air strip"
Oh come on....
Instigate a general cleanup of the island.
Look at the illegal dumping sites over archeological remains at Ta' Lambert - Xewkija so near the heliport.
Look at the welcoming concrete monster at Dwejra.
Look at the attitude of some bars, shops and restaurant owners ready to rip off tourists (yes they need to make a living)
Look at the nonexistent public transport system on the island!
Look at the behavior of taxi drivers down at the harbor as soon as they spot a tourist coming down from the ferry.
Look at the shabbiness around the Gozo countryside including the filt around the hiostoric salt pants.
If the GTA is not pro-active in such basic areas, how could they be trusted in overlooking the building of an airstrip?
I wonder sometimes why neither the GTA or the Business Chamber never applaud AD's proposal of sea-links (catamaran, sea-planes) directly from Gozo to other parts of the Mediterranean.
Perhaps they are afraid that Giovanna will fire them?
Roy Perry
I wish to thank Mr Muscat for supporting the idea of an airstrip in Gozo. There seems little point if the major hotels in Gozo improve their standard of accommodation and facilities if the discerning visitor is excluded from a fast and convenient transfer by air. I invite Joe to contact me on 27016277 to attend a meeting on Saturday morning - August 2nd. See also http://gozoairstrip.blogspot.com
Liam Kelly
You must be deluded if you think that building a airstrip constitutes a 'balanced' development on a tiny island!
However, since you've also said that the future of your tourism industry relies on an airstrip, you won't be needing the ferry service anymore then will you? We'll just take that away in order to pay for your air strip....then you'll realise what a ridiculous statement that was I'm sure.
Its particularly worrying that since you work in the tourism industry yourself, you have yet to figure out the rationale of tourists coming to Gozo....peace and quiet, tranquility, greenery and to get away from life....How does an airstrip fit into that raison d'etre?
That IS your market because it is what makes Gozo so NATURALLY beautiful, any destination can copy another destination, but the price of this is that it takes away what made it attractive in the first place.
However, since you've also said that the future of your tourism industry relies on an airstrip, you won't be needing the ferry service anymore then will you? We'll just take that away in order to pay for your air strip....then you'll realise what a ridiculous statement that was I'm sure.
Its particularly worrying that since you work in the tourism industry yourself, you have yet to figure out the rationale of tourists coming to Gozo....peace and quiet, tranquility, greenery and to get away from life....How does an airstrip fit into that raison d'etre?
That IS your market because it is what makes Gozo so NATURALLY beautiful, any destination can copy another destination, but the price of this is that it takes away what made it attractive in the first place.
Franco Farrugia
Go on, Gozitans! Destroy the tiny island, the only environmentally-sound area we have in the Maltese islands.
An air strip will destroy Gozo as we know it now. Think of the land that it will necessary eat up; think about the noise of the aircraft, that same that we hear in the Gudja/Luqa areas. Think of the building amenities which will have to mushroom!!!
Perhaps Mr Muscat can elucidate on what 'other opportunities the island needs to enhance its primary tourism industry'.
I think the Government should be committed to the sparing of Gozo of the same downward development that has destroyed the mainland!
I don't personally believe that 'the future of the tourism industry on Gozo relies on the availability of an airs strip.'
How can Mr Muscat speak about an air strip which is 'well situated' and 'blending with the Gozitan countryside'? We are speaking about two opposite things - airstrip and countryside. God and the Devil. Right, and wrong. Black and White. Plus and minus.
Kapixx?
An air strip will destroy Gozo as we know it now. Think of the land that it will necessary eat up; think about the noise of the aircraft, that same that we hear in the Gudja/Luqa areas. Think of the building amenities which will have to mushroom!!!
Perhaps Mr Muscat can elucidate on what 'other opportunities the island needs to enhance its primary tourism industry'.
I think the Government should be committed to the sparing of Gozo of the same downward development that has destroyed the mainland!
I don't personally believe that 'the future of the tourism industry on Gozo relies on the availability of an airs strip.'
How can Mr Muscat speak about an air strip which is 'well situated' and 'blending with the Gozitan countryside'? We are speaking about two opposite things - airstrip and countryside. God and the Devil. Right, and wrong. Black and White. Plus and minus.
Kapixx?
Alfred Grech
I'm in full agreement with Joe Muscat. It's about time the government considers Gozo as an excellent destination for Maltese and tourists alike. It's a gem that needs to be promoted and made easy to access.
Gozo is unique and beautiful and its people are warm, friendly and accomodating.
Accomodating indeed, especially if Gozitans fall for this trap by a few businessmen!
Gozo is unique and beautiful and its people are warm, friendly and accomodating.
Accomodating indeed, especially if Gozitans fall for this trap by a few businessmen!
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