Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1547380
4 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 30 OCTOBER 2026 NEWS CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 Gozo General Hospital to ex- pand services The government will contin- ue implementing the master plan for Gozo General Hospi- tal, with plans to add nine out- patient clinics, open a room for minor procedures, expand op- erating theatres and establish a dedicated women's health area. The government says ex- panding medical services in Gozo will reduce the need for Gozitan patients to trav- el to Malta for treatment and strengthen the hospital's role alongside Mater Dei Hospital. Furthermore, on Wednes- day during a press conference Health Minister Ian Borg said the General Hospital regener- ation plan must be drawn up this year. He also highlighted the com- pletion of the Gozo helipad, which he said has reduced patient transport times by 10 minutes. Two new electricity cables planned Enemalta has launched the process to lay two new 33kV submarine electricity cables between Malta and Gozo, aimed at increasing the capac- ity, resilience and security of the island's electricity supply. Technical studies are also under way for a possible new 132kV interconnection be- tween the two islands. The projects form part of the government's plans to strengthen electricity infra- structure and address supply requirements. Tourists to pay more for Gozo Channel The budget includes high- er Gozo Channel fares for non-resident passengers and vehicles, with the government arguing that existing tourist fares are low. The revised fares will see a non-resident adult ticket in- crease from €4.65 to €11, while a child's ticket will rise from €1.15 to €7. Vehicle fares will also in- crease. A vehicle with its driver will cost €22, up from €15.70. A vehicle with its driver and one adult passenger will cost €33, compared with €20.35. A vehicle carrying its driver, one adult passenger and one child will cost €40, up from €21.50. Tourists using the fast ferry between Malta and Gozo will pay an additional €3 per trip. The government expects the revised tourist tariffs to gener- ate around €13 million in ad- ditional revenue, which it says will help support infrastructure operations and reduce the bur- den of subsidies. The fare changes are aimed at non-residents, rather than the subsidised fares available to el- igible residents. Tourists to pay more in eco- contributions Tourists staying in Malta and Gozo will pay higher eco-con- tributions from 1 January 2027, with the nightly charge rising to €8 per person in hotels and other collective accommoda- tion, capped at €64 per stay. Guests staying in short-let apartments will pay €10 per night, capped at €80 per stay. The changes are expected to generate around €182 million annually from tourist accom- modation. Students attend- ing English-language teaching schools will be exempt from the charge. A €10 contribution will also be introduced for cruise pas- sengers who disembark to vis- it Malta before returning to the same ship. The charge will not apply to passengers whose cruise starts in Malta. Visitors to Comino will also face a new €5 eco-contribution, which will be integrated into the existing booking system for access to the Blue Lagoon. Gozitan workers among 205,000 local employees Caurana said during his speech that the number of local Maltese and Gozitan workers in the labour market reached approximately 205,000 by the end of 2025. The government also identi- fied the economic and social sustainability of Malta and Gozo as a central policy objec- tive. Caruana said the pressures placed on infrastructure and public resources should not be borne solely by Maltese and Gozitan taxpayers, but also by those contributing to those pressures. The speech also highlighted the impact of global challeng- es and energy price stability on households, workers and busi- nesses. Free services restricted to eligible residents The Budget also confirms changes to eligibility for several benefits and public services from January. Free public transport, the atyp- ical work cheque and free child- care will be restricted to Maltese and Gozitan citizens, EU resident citizens and qualifying long-term residents. The measures will affect eligi- bility for services used by both Maltese and Gozitan households. European Capital of Culture 2031? A notable omission is any refer- ence to Victoria's European Cap- ital of Culture 2031 designation. In an interview with MaltaToday, Victoria Mayor Brian Azzopar- di said that specific funding for the initiative was expected to be included in Malta's budget, as it had already been committed to Visitors to Comino will face a new Visitors to Comino will also face a new €5 eco-contribution, which will be integrated into the existing booking system for access to the The revised fares will see a non-resident adult ticket increase from €4.65 to €11, while a child's ticket will rise from €1.15 to €7