Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1541660
4 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 28 NOVEMBER 2025 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The foreign tourism market was identified as a major con- tributor to improved outcomes. According to the GTA, 65.4% of participants said interna- tional visitors had a positive effect on their business. When compared with last summer, 48.7% saw growth in foreign market performance, 35.9% saw no significant change and 15.4% registered a decline. Meanwhile, the domestic segment showed relative sta- bility. The majority (57%) said Maltese tourists had no major impact on their operations, al- though 30% reported a boost from local visitors. Year-on- year comparisons showed minimal shifts, with 64% ob- serving unchanged domestic performance, 18.7% noting an increase and 17.3% reporting a fall. Revenue levels were described as solid by many operators. A total of 61.5% rated their sum- mer takings as "good", while 6.4% considered them "excel- lent". Comparing the season to 2024, 48.7% said revenue had risen, 30.8% reported stability and 20.5% experienced a drop. Among those who posted higher earnings, 55.5% credited price adjustments. Increased customer numbers were cit- ed by 51%, and 42% pointed to better marketing strategies. New products or services were mentioned by 38% as contrib- uting factors. The GTA survey also high- lighted ongoing challenges. Rising operational expenses topped the list, noted by 63.3% of respondents. Workforce shortages were reported by 53%, while 29% flagged mount- ing competition. Administra- tive demands (26.6%) and is- sues linked to the Skills Pass (20.3%) were also mentioned. Only 9% said they encountered no significant difficulties. Operationally, most busi- nesses kept a steady pace, with 59.5% reporting no change compared with last year. Im- provements were noted by 38%, while 2.5% said their op- erations had worsened. Participants were addition- ally asked about the nature of tourism arriving in Gozo. Some 74% felt the island is not attracting what they define as "high-quality" tourists. When assessing whether Gozo offers a "high-value" tourism prod- uct, 63% said it does not, while 37% believed it does. Survey shows foreign market boosts performance as operators warn of rising costs and staffing shortages Tourism trends this summer: 48.7% of destinations saw growth in foreign visitors, 35.9% remained steady, and 15.4% experienced a decline (Photo: James Bianchi)