GTA’s reaction to the Budget

The Gozo Tourism Association believes that overall this is a Budget that reflects the economic growth environment in various sectors including the tourism industry in the Maltese Islands.

The Budget proposals put forward by the GTA were mostly targeted towards fiscal measures and the touristic product upgrade. However, the GTA notes that while no fiscal measures were introduced toward the Gozitan tourism industry, the GTA positively notes the measures in this Budget targeting the improvement of the touristic product on the Island of Gozo.

The announced improvements include the implementation of the master plans for Marsalforn and Xlendi, including the finalisation plans for the rebuilding of the Marsalforn breakwater.

Another project announced during the Budget speech was that of the Gozo Aquatic Centre, which apart from improving the touristic product, will help to create another tourism niche that of sports’ tourism.

Furthermore, the GTA welcomes the extension of the refund scheme, through which employers will get a 30% refund of the pay up to €6,000 for each new job created in the Gozitan private sector, on a three-year contract.

The GTA also notes government’s intention to revisit the collection of the Eco-contribution with the input by the respective stakeholders. As mentioned in the Budget speech, the GTA is now expecting that from the funds collected through the Eco-contribution, embellishment projects are also carried out in Gozo, while representatives of the Gozitan tourism industry, should also be consulted in the collection and administration of these funds.

Although there were several other Budget measures proposed by the GTA, which were not catered for, especially those targeted to continue mitigating seasonality, the Association acknowledges that on the whole this Budget promotes further tourism growth.