Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1541660
GozoToday is a weekly newspaper focused primarily on Gozo. It hopes to serve as a source of information on business, culture, entertainment and of course current affairs. Gozo has a special charm about it but it is also a bustling Island with an identity of its own. GozoToday is published every Friday and is available to numerous outlets in Gozo and on GozoToday MediaToday Co. Ltd, Vjal ir-Rihan San Gwann SGN 9016 ASSISTANT EDITOR: LAURA CALLEJA Tel: (356) 21 382741-3, 21 382745-6 Website: www.maltatoday.com.mt E-mail: dailynews@mediatoday.com.mt 3 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 28 NOVEMBER 2025 NEWS GOZO and Comino registered the highest card acceptance rate in Malta, according to new data released earlier in November by the National Statistics Office. Retailers in the district achieved a 68% acceptance rate in 2024, outpacing all other regions and well above the 55% and 56% re- ported in the South Eastern and Western districts. The figures form part of the NSO's latest publication ana- lysing card payments collected monthly from locally licensed acquirers. Although Gozo and Comino generated lower over- all card transaction values compared with Malta's main commercial centres, the islands recorded the most widespread adoption of card terminals with- in the retail sector. Card payments continue to reshape consumer behaviour across the country. In 2024, cards accounted for 60% of su- permarket sales, confirming them as the dominant payment method in non-specialised retail. Fuel stations remained far more reliant on traditional payment habits, with card transactions making up only 30% of sales. Nationally, card activity surged in August 2025, reaching a re- cord €596 million, an increase of €90.1 million or 18% compared with the previous year. Gozo and Comino recorded €184.4 million in point-of-sale transactions in 2024, a level sim- ilar to the Western and South Eastern districts. The Northern Harbour district maintained the highest concentration of card activity with €1.5 billion, fol- lowed by the Northern district at €660.6 million. Despite its smaller economic footprint, Gozo stood out for its readiness to accept card pay- ments. Its retail sector surpassed the national average acceptance rate of 60%, while card accept- ance in accommodation and food service businesses reached nearly 63%, consistent with rates in other districts. The NSO said card payments offer a near real-time indicator of spending patterns, reflect- ing seasonal fluctuations tied to tourism and domestic consump- tion. Spending peaked in August and hit its lowest level in Feb- ruary, mirroring long-standing economic rhythms across Malta. The results underline that while Gozo accounts for a small- er share of total card spending, its businesses are adopting digi- tal payment infrastructure at the fastest rate in the country. Gozo records highest card acceptance rate surpassing Malta, NSO says Despite its smaller economic footprint, Gozo stood out for its readiness to accept card payments CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 The event, titled Digitalisation in Spa- tial Planning – The Next Generation, was organised by the Planning Authority and brought together government officials, sector professionals and stakeholders. Addressing the conference, Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri said the transition to digital systems is essential for more accurate and efficient planning process- es. He noted that discussions focused not only on the Authority's internal digital transformation but also on the services it provides and the wider ecosystem of professionals who rely on its data and systems. Camilleri said new technological tools will allow planners to work on the basis of real-time information rather than as- sumptions. "One can visualise better and rely on current facts," he said, adding that digital platforms will allow users to assess different options, parameters and real-life scenarios before decisions are taken. Such tools, he said, will assist the Planning Authority as well as architects, designers and clients who depend on its services. Planning Authority Executive Chair- man Johann Buttigieg said the Authority has consistently been at the forefront of digital transformation, but noted that its responsibilities are expanding. Beyond updating the national basemap, the Au- thority is also working on new 2D and 3D analytical tools aimed at improving the quality of information available to offi- cials. He highlighted the development of dig- ital twins, 3D modelling and forecasting tools based on the integration of multiple spatial datasets—technologies expected to improve policy-making by providing more robust evidence. Officials stressed that the creation of an effective spatial tool for government stakeholders will be crucial to achieving integrated planning objectives outlined in Vision Malta 2050. The conference forms part of an ongoing effort to mod- ernise Malta's planning framework and align it with emerging digital standards. Conference highlights key role of digital technologies in modernising Malta's spatial planning system Addressing the conference, Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri said the transition to digital systems is essential for more accurate and efficient planning processes Retailers in the district achieved a 68% acceptance rate in 2024