Events that draw large crowds to Gozo, similar to those held during the festive season, need to be organised throughout the year if tourism seasonality is to be cut down, the Gozo Tourism Association said yesterday.
Commending organisers of the different events held during December, the association said it was satisfied with the “positive touristic trends” it had noted during Christmas time.
The greatest crowd-puller was the seventh edition of the annual Christmas theme park Betleħem f’Għajnsielem (Bethlehem in Għajnsielem), a life-size nativity experience spread over 20,000 square metres of formerly-abandoned fields, which attracted some 100,000 visitors.
As a result of this event’s success, there was an upsurge in the business generated at various other touristic establishments, the association noted.
The Gozo Ministry last week reported that a record number of people, 21,000, had crossed the channel during the last weekend of 2015. Compared with the same few days last year, the number of cars used during visits to the island was 65 per cent higher.
These attractions, amalgamated under the festive programme Christmas in Gozo, gave added value to the visitors
The association said the accommodation sector had reported good results, especially during the New Year’s Eve celebrations, with many opting to spend the weekend on the island, which in turn also benefitted restaurants.
Restaurants reported a “constant and steady flow of clientele” during the period between Christmas Eve and last weekend, the GTA said.
The GRTU, Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises, said its members had reported similar outcomes, especially during last month’s two public holidays.
The association attributed most of the success to the events being spread out over a longer period and not crammed into a few days close to Christmas.
“These attractions, amalgam-ated under the festive programme Christmas in Gozo, piloted by the Ministry for Gozo, gave added value to the visitors,” it said.
Concerts, exhibitions, shows and pageants were held at different localities between December 5 and January 3. The programme came to an end with a special event held at Għajnsielem marking the Epiphany.