Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1534974
SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL FRIDAY 2 MAY 2025 • ISSUE 043 • PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY gozotoday PAUL COCKS pcocks@mediatoday.com.mt JULIANA ZAMMIT jzammit@mediatoday.com.mt €1.00 SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL FRIDAY 25 APRIL 2025 • ISSUE 042 • PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY gozotoday €1.00 PAGE 4-5 Remembering Pope Francis's visit to Gozo Pope Francis will be laid to rest on Saturday morning at St. Peter's Basilica. Exactly two years ago, he was in Malta on a two-day pastoral visit, during which he delivered strong messages on migration and solidarity. The visit included a stop in Gozo, where he led a public mass and addressed thousands. Self-rule essential for Gozo, report suggests A new discussion paper published by the Gozo Re- gional Development Au- thority (GRDA) has called for enhanced autonomy for Gozo, arguing that the island requires formalised, non-conditional self-rule to effectively address its unique regional chal- lenges. Penned by Prof. Godfrey Baldacchino, the paper entitled Gozo's Re- gionality: Exploring Au- tonomy Options for Gozo within the State of Mal- ta outlines how Gozo's double insularity, limited resources, and distinct socio-cultural character "merit a renewed govern- ance framework." Pope Francis (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday) A new paper by the Gozo Regional Development Authority argues that formalised self-rule is essential for the island to tackle its distinct regional challenges. Citing international models and legal precedent. CONTINUES ON PAGE 3 Mgarr Harbour (Photo: Maltatoday) Variable interest rate of 2.80% * Low contribution Low collateral requirements *Business Lending Bank Base Rate presently at 2.15%, Interest Margin and EIF Guarantee Fee. The BOV SME Grow and the BOV SME Grow Green are funded by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund with the financial backing of the Republic of Malta under the InvestEU Member State Compartment for Malta. All loans are subject to normal bank lending criteria and final approval from the Bank. Issued by Bank of Valletta p.l.c., 58, Triq San Żakkarija, il-Belt Valletta, VLT 1130. Bank of Valletta p.l.c. is a public limited company regulated by the MFSA and is licenced to carry out the business of banking in terms of the Banking Act (Cap. 371 of the laws of Malta). Grow green BOV SME Supporting Your Vision CONTACT US LAURA CALLEJA lcalleja@mediatoday.com.mt PAGE 5 Government signs land deal for Victoria open space and parking project 42% of Gozo tourism operators say 2024 was better than 2023 42% of tourism operators in Gozo reported better busi- ness performance in 2024 compared to 2023, while participating in a survey car- ried out by the Gozo Tour- ism Association. 39% of operators said that their performance was sim- ilar, and 18% reported a de- cline. The GTA conducted an online survey among its members, focusing on the performance of Gozitan tourism establishments during the past year 2024 compared to the year 2023. Respondents included op- erators from the accommo- dation sector, restaurants, diving centres, tourist at- tractions, transport, tour operators, dmcs, travel agencies, rental property agencies, and tourism con- sultancy firms. The positive trend reported by operators was especially evident in the performance of the foreign market. Pjazza l-Assedju, Victoria PAGE 3 THE government has announced the signing of a land transfer in Pjazza l-Assedju, Victoria, that will make way for a project including a new underground car park and an open green space in the city centre. "All of this is being done with a clear vision that looks towards the sustainable develop- ment of Gozo and that goes hand in hand with both the regional development strategy of Gozo: Island of Villages as well as the Malta Vision 2050," said Minister for Gozo and Plan- ning Clint Camilleri. 67% of respondents classified the foreign market's impact as either 'Good' or 'Excellent'