The Gozo Tourism Association refers to the editorial of the Times of Malta under the header The Pros and Cons of an airstrip in Gozo. In this opinion piece, the editor repeatedly implied that there is no real necessity for an airlink between the island of Gozo and mainland Malta.
The Gozo Tourism Association would like to remind the editor that the Government is forking out millions of euros to lure the low cost airlines to operate several routes not serviced by the legacy carriers, in order to make Malta more accessible to the potential tourists. Thus Government is acknowledging the fact that the success of the tourism industry depends also on further accessibility to the Maltese islands.
With the same reasoning, The Gozo Tourism Association is asking what is being done towards more access to the sister island of Gozo? The GTA has always argued that for Gozo the low cost carriers are a doubled edged knife. It is an acknowledged fact that the low cost carriers have improved the tourist numbers, but it is also a known fact that Gozo is losing out on the domestic market which is opting for breaks to destinations serviced by these airlines. Furthermore contrary to what is being done towards access in Malta, the island of Gozo experienced inconsistent, unfeasible and unrealiable airlinks previously operated by the helicopter and the present seaplane.
Furthermore the Gozo Tourism Association is conscious of and recognises the strength of island's unique character. However the GTA believes that the right balance is to be struck between maintaining Gozo's characteristics and sustaining the tourism industry which is the main economic pillar on Gozo.
The Gozo Tourism Association is not the enviromental expert. We are not either aviation experts. But we can proudly say that we are professionals and knowledgeable on what needs to be done to sustain the tourism sector on Gozo. We are, seasoned, experienced and tested daily and therefore our opinion should be heeded, if we want Gozo to remain as a tourist destination. Up to this present date, the Gozitan tourism trade was let down, with regards to the airlink between Malta and Gozo. No editorial board, whatever its agenda will ever understand the constraints of the Gozitan tourism industry, unless one lives it on a daily basis.
Finally the Gozo Tourism Association hopes that it was not the intention of the Times editorial to instigate another St. John's Co-Cathedral repeat.
The Gozo Tourism Association (The GOVANNA-Leaning Association)
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