' EUTO Study Visit – UK 21st to 28th September 2008 'Attractions and events as catalysts for regeneration and social change Presentation: Julian Zarb (Malta Tourism Society)

Where are we?

Gozo Video Clip A Visual Impression of Gozo A Visual Impression of Gozo Some Notes: The Helicopter Service has been discontinued since A seaplane service operates from Grand Harbour to Mgarr in Gozo since Some Notes: The Helicopter Service has been discontinued since A seaplane service operates from Grand Harbour to Mgarr in Gozo since 2008.

Some Facts and Figures Population- 28,000 Population- 28,000 No airport (Heliport not functioning) No airport (Heliport not functioning) Seaplane Service (Weather Permitting) Seaplane Service (Weather Permitting) Geographical size km Geographical size km Ferry Service Jan. To August 2008: No. Of Trips – Jan. To August 2008: No. Of Trips – Jan to August 2008 : No. Of Passengers – 2,739,151 Jan to August 2008 : No. Of Passengers – 2,739,151 Jan. To August 2008: Cars/Cargo- 726,151 Jan. To August 2008: Cars/Cargo- 726,151

Tourism Statistics 2007 An additional 6634 Visitors (+19% on 2006) An additional 6634 Visitors (+19% on 2006) bednights (average 5.24 nights) bednights (average 5.24 nights) An additional 3273 Maltese residents (+10.8% on 2006) An additional 3273 Maltese residents (+10.8% on 2006) An average 1.98 nights for Maltese in Gozo An average 1.98 nights for Maltese in Gozo Overall Increase of 9907 arrivals to Gozo (+15.5%) Overall Increase of 9907 arrivals to Gozo (+15.5%) Increase of bednights (+13%) Increase of bednights (+13%)

Creating a Destination Regional Delivery of a balanced mix of quality attractions Regional Delivery of a balanced mix of quality attractions Accomodation, F& B,retail and Spending opportunities Accomodation, F& B,retail and Spending opportunities Delivery of tourism opportunities must be seamless with a genuine focuson creating desirable and authentic visitor experiences Delivery of tourism opportunities must be seamless with a genuine focuson creating desirable and authentic visitor experiences The enthusiastic promotion of a region or single community The enthusiastic promotion of a region or single community

Destinations and Tourism “Tourism is inherently a Regional Enterprise Successful Destinations don’t just happen, tourists happen” Michael E. Kelly, AICP, MCIP

The Organizers Sponsors: Upward Door Systems Ltd Upward Door Systems Ltd Camilleri Paris Mode Camilleri Paris Mode Gozo Cottage Gozo CottageGozitano Casa Funghi Bonito's Restaurant Bonito's Restaurant J. Debono Printing J. Debono Printing San Lawrenz Leisure Resort San Lawrenz Leisure Resort Citadel Insurance Citadel InsuranceChanel Downtown Hotel Downtown Hotel Central Bank Central Bank National Lottery Good Causes Fund Sharp K3 Paints Attard Auto Dealer Abraham General Supplies Italian Ambassador for Malta

The Organizers Partners: Teatru Astra Malta Tourism Authority Air Malta Heritage Malta Vodafone Malta Bank of Valletta MelitaSponsors: Ministry for Gozo Ministry for Gozo Victoria Local Council Victoria Local Council General Soft Drinks Ltd General Soft Drinks Ltd Island Hotels Group Island Hotels Group Fexco Financial Services (Malta) Ltd Fexco Financial Services (Malta) Ltd Valletta Fund Management Valletta Fund Management Michael Grech Financial Investment Services Ltd Michael Grech Financial Investment Services Ltd Topserv (Gozo) Ltd Topserv (Gozo) Ltd John's Garage David's Bakery

The Concept A Mosaic of Mediterranean Civilization, Heritage and Art. Annual Celebration : An Autumnal Event Annual Celebration : An Autumnal Event Culture including Folkore and Cuisine Culture including Folkore and Cuisine History and Archeology History and Archeology Mythology – The Legend of Calypso and Ulysses Mythology – The Legend of Calypso and Ulysses Diverse Events Diverse Events Thrills of Exploration and Discovery Thrills of Exploration and Discovery A Showpiece A Showpiece Live the Mediterranean – 7000 years of History Live the Mediterranean – 7000 years of History

The Programmme Visit to Church of St. George, Rabat Visit to Church of St. George, Rabat Visit to Salt Pans and Organic Farm Visit to Salt Pans and Organic Farm Opera Opera Feast of Gozitan Wine and Food (After Theatre) Feast of Gozitan Wine and Food (After Theatre) Art Exhibition Art Exhibition Archeology: Key Lecture and Site Visit: Dr. David Trump Archeology: Key Lecture and Site Visit: Dr. David Trump Dance, Ballet and Concerts Dance, Ballet and Concerts

Strategies and Case Studies “The owner of Ta’ Mena spoke about the great difficulties he faced turning his farm into an organic one. Either all Gozo goes for organic farming and not just one farm, he said, because an organic farm can only be sited five miles away from the nearest non- organic farm or else suffer the risk of being polluted”. “The owner of Ta’ Mena spoke about the great difficulties he faced turning his farm into an organic one. Either all Gozo goes for organic farming and not just one farm, he said, because an organic farm can only be sited five miles away from the nearest non- organic farm or else suffer the risk of being polluted”. Press Release: June 2008

The Future Eco-Gozo : aims at transforming Gozo and Gozitan society into a sustainable reality in its wider sense – not only environmentally, but also socially and economically. Eco-Gozo : aims at transforming Gozo and Gozitan society into a sustainable reality in its wider sense – not only environmentally, but also socially and economically. A new way of looking at Gozo and its future, banking on the island’s strengths and tapping its attractive potential for the benefit of the island’s inhabitants, its visitors and investors, so that all benefit from: A new way of looking at Gozo and its future, banking on the island’s strengths and tapping its attractive potential for the benefit of the island’s inhabitants, its visitors and investors, so that all benefit from: A better quality of life A society exerting less pressure on the environment A wholesome natural and cultural environment More sustainable jobs A caring society for all More quality investment An enhancement of the island’s identity A better quality of life A society exerting less pressure on the environment A wholesome natural and cultural environment More sustainable jobs A caring society for all More quality investment An enhancement of the island’s identity Eco-Gozo provides an assurance for sustainable development in Gozo, and a continued success for our island in the future. Eco-Gozo provides an assurance for sustainable development in Gozo, and a continued success for our island in the future.

Interesting Websites to Check “We will render Gozo an ecological island – a model of sustainable development” Lawrence Gonzi, Prime Minister

Thank You