Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1524813
6 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 2 AUGUST 2024 NEWS What, in your opinion, is Gozo's biggest selling point when it comes to attracting tourism to the island? Branded as a small island in the Mediterranean, one instant- ly pictures crystal-clear blue waters, the sun, the sand, the coast and all the seaside activi- ties that one can possibly enjoy. This is very much a logical an- swer for a destination of our size positioned right at the centre of the Mediterranean. There is no denying that this is the case for Gozo as we are blessed with a superb coastline and our cli- mate is one that is most desired by the European market, which is the largest outbound tourism source according to the UNW- TO. But the 'fun in the sun by the sea' is only one aspect of the destination and this actually as- tonishes many of our visitors. If one had to compare the touris- tic product in Gozo with that of other comparable islands in the Mediterranean, we have quite a broad offering. Firstly, we have quite a dynamic local population leading our vivid communities all over the island and this can be seen in how local councils, NGOs, and individual volun- teers contribute largely to a myr- iad of events and activities that take place in the different towns and villages to uphold affinities to traditional heritage. There is obviously tremendous support granted by the Ministry, how- ever the power of initiative they assume is commendable. I like to point out to craft and dedica- tion involved parish feasts and Christmas or Easter festivities just to name a few. I would also add in this mix our talented and creative artisanship that are am- bassadors to the 'made in Gozo' product. And why not, the local gastronomy infused with the Mediterranean cuisine has al- ways made us Gozitans proud. I underline the essence to sustain our traditional and cultural her- itage as these largely represent our identity and mark our au- thenticity which are crucial var- iables that define an experiential destination like Gozo. Gozo is also blessed with a historical trail that continues to render the touristic offering to be wider than one would expect for our size. Having been at the centre of the mare nostrum are- na for centuries, enabled us to have historical heritage that ex- cites many enthusiasts and non. The Ggantija Temples classified by UNESCO as a World Herit- age Site, considered by many as the oldest freestanding building in the world, the mythological connection with Homer, and the fortified city of the Citadel which is also a vibrant cultural hub are definitely some of the top highlights we have to offer. Very few comparable islands of our size can boast with such a broad touristic offering. Finally, the adventurous tour- ism segment is one that is highly popular in Gozo mainly because of its geography, topography and climatic conditions. Here, prob- ably the main highlight is the Diving market segment. Diving in Gozo is a pure spectacle. The crystal-clear waters, water tem- perature, and the underwater ambience tick the boxes of a top diving destination. Some of the diving sites in Gozo are highly ranked amongst the best diving sites in the Mediterranean. More to that is the availability of div- ing schools and centres in Gozo, all of which are very professional and passionate about the indus- try. Gozo offers a wide spectrum of heritage, cultural and tourist sites. But what does Gozo offer that Malta lacks? I get this question a lot. The premise is that we present Gozo as distinct destination to Mal- ta, in the sense of having two destinations in one country. If this was otherwise, why would a tourist decide to go to Gozo instead of Malta? Gozo has sim- ilar characteristics to mainland Malta as one has to consid- er that mainland Malta is not just a plain consistent blanket throughout. However, what Gozo offers, even if at instances similar, may be somewhat differ- ent in terms of experience. We have Megalithic temples just like Malta, a myriad of churches just like Malta, we have beaches and available coastline activities just like Malta, the same climate, and most traditional experiences and gastronomy are shared. Howev- er, we are smaller, quieter, and easier. This means that being a smaller territory, the local iden- tity and authenticity is felt more, facilitating our visitors' quest to immerse into our culture. The mingling with locals enables an approximation that makes the experience even more unique. How important is heritage and culture tourism in Gozo from an economic perspective? It is vital. Our culture and her- itage sustain tourism and vice versa tourism sustains our herit- age and culture. I would add that thanks to tourism, our cultural heritage has been given a fur- ther dimension of importance. One can underline the concept of regenerative tourism in this subject matter, where tourism not only sustains but contributes 'Gozo should be seen as a destination, GozoToday speaks to RONALD ANTHONY SULTANA, Director of the Gozo Tourism and Economic Development Directorate, about what makes the island so attractive to tourists, be they inbound or domestic, the challenges Gozo faces to remain relevant and the directorate's focus for the coming yearss