Slight fall in visitors to Gozo

Gozo Channel carried 43,311 passengers and 9,621 cars to and from Gozo between Thursday and Saturday, a spokesman for the company said yesterday.

That was 359 passengers and 311 cars fewer than in the same period last year.

There could have been several factors which caused the drop, including the recent increase in ferry fares and the fact that the feast of Sta Marija fell on a Sunday, which meant there was no long weekend.

Although the number of Maltese crossing over to Gozo was still substantial, there were no long queues at Cirkewwa, passengers said.

Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono said yesterday that Gozo Channel had laid on a shuttle service and there had been ample preparation by the police, Enemalta, the health sector, the Gozo Channel Co. and the Gozo Ministry.

Mrs Debono said Enemalta was involved since the demand for electricity during the Sta Marija period was close to double what it was on ordinary working days.