Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542465
SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL FRIDAY 9 JANUARY 2026 • ISSUE 079 • PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY gozotoday €1.00 301,041 passengers crossed to Gozo during Christmas CONTINUES PAGE 3 A total of 301,041 passengers travelled between Malta and Gozo via Gozo Channel fer- ries and the fast ferry service during the Christmas and New Year period, marking a record increase in crossings, the Ministry for Gozo said. Between 22 December 2025 and 4 January 2026, Gozo Channel ferries carried 258,710 passengers in both directions. This represented a 6.7% increase compared to the same period a year earlier. At the same time, Gozo Highspeed, which operates the fast ferry service between the Grand Harbour and Mġarr, transported 42,331 passengers. This figure was up by 9,529 passengers, or 29.05%, when compared to the corresponding period in 2024–2025. Combined, the two services recorded a 9.3% overall in- crease in passenger numbers over the same festive period last year. CONTINUES PAGE 5 More than 301,000 passengers crossed between Malta and Gozo during the Christmas and New Year period, registering record growth in ferry and fast ferry travel and reinforcing Gozo's appeal as a year-round destination THE Nationalist Party has criticised the government for mismanage- ment and underinvestment follow- ing disruptions in travel between Malta and Gozo during the recent festive period, while the Ministry for Gozo defended its handling of ferry services, citing record visitor num- bers and expanded operations. Gozo ferry issues spark criticism, government cites rising visitors Tourists hiking through Gozo's costal region (Photo: Ted Attard) Aurora resounds: Celebrating 50 years of cinema, music and memory in Gozo PAGE 9