Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542465
4 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 9 JANUARY 2026 OPINION Gozo tourism: Achievements of 2025 and prospects for 2026 WITH 2025 drawing to a close, Malta is on track to welcome a record 4 million tourists to its islands. Gozo, too, has benefitted from this surge, registering notable growth in both overnight stays and day visits. According to the latest NSO statistics, overnight stays in Gozo rose by 6% be‑ tween January and October 2025 com‑ pared to the same period in 2024. Day tourism also reached unprecedented levels, with 1.9 million visitors crossing over to Gozo for a few hours during this period, a 13% increase over 2024. This means that nearly 54% of tourists stay‑ ing on mainland Malta chose to make a day trip to Gozo. An especially encouraging develop‑ ment is the shift in seasonality. While the summer months (June–September) remained stable, significant growth was recorded in the winter and shoulder seasons, with double‑digit increases during these months. This trend sug‑ gests that Gozo is gradually overcom‑ ing the long‑standing challenge of sea‑ sonality, strengthening its position as a year‑round destination. Challenges facing the sector Despite these positive developments, Gozitan tourism operators continue to face pressing challenges. A recent sur‑ vey by the Gozo Tourism Association highlights two main concerns: The ris‑ ing food costs, which force operators to balance absorbing expenses with adjust‑ ing their selling prices, a delicate trade‑ off that directly affects competitiveness, and the Labour shortages, a persistent issue for over two decades, now reach‑ ing critical levels. Many establishments rely heavily on foreign workers, particu‑ larly third‑country nationals (TCNs). This reliance brings complications such as visa processing delays and skills pass assessments, while also raising con‑ cerns that Gozo's tourism product may risk losing some of its authenticity, a key element of the visitor experience. Resilience and investment Notwithstanding these challenges, Gozo's tourism sector remains vibrant and resilient. Continuous investment and upgrad‑ ing in accommodation and catering demonstrate the entrepreneurial spirit of Gozitan operators, who have consist‑ ently turned obstacles into opportuni‑ ties. Recent and ongoing infrastructural projects spearheaded by the Ministry for Gozo and Planning "Gozo Indoor Sports and Aquatic Pavilion further strengthen the island's tourism of‑ fering. The in Victoria, inaugurated in September, opens new avenues for sports tourism.While the Victoria– Marsalforn road project, the Gozo Mu‑ seum, and the planned rural airfield will enhance connectivity, accessibility, and attractions for both tourists and locals. Looking ahead to 2026 The Envision 2050 strategy emphasis‑ es that tourism on the Maltese islands should evolve from a focus on quantity to one centered on quality, aiming to generate higher expenditure per capita while maintaining current arrival lev‑ els. In this context, the distinctiveness of Gozo, rooted in its cultural heritage, natural resources, and diverse range of quality products, provides a strong foundation for positioning the island as a premium destination. Safeguarding and enhancing these inherent strengths is essential to ensure their lasting ap‑ peal." Looking ahead to 2026, the tourism sector approaches the future with opti‑ mism, as Gozo prepares to proudly hold the title of the European Region of Gas‑ tronomy, a prestigious recognition that offers immense potential to showcase its rich culinary heritage. Feedback from International tourism fairs already reflects strong interest in Gozo, with travel operators eager to collaborate on new and enticing des‑ tinations. Gozo's combination of re‑ silience, innovation, and authenticity ensures that it remains a compelling destination, well‑ positioned to build on the successes of 2025 and embrace the opportunities of the year ahead. Joe Muscat, CEO Gozo Tourism Association Notwithstanding these challenges, Gozo's tourism sector remains vibrant and resilient (Photo: islandofgozo.org)