د . إAEDSRر . س

Gozo Should Not Need To Increase Population By 50,000 To Be Included In Metro System, Gozo Tourism Authority Says

Article Featured Image

The Gozo Tourism Association said it wishes for the island to be included in the metro system with 25 stations around Malta, and there shouldn’t be the need to increase the island’s population by 50,000 in order to be connected to Malta.

The GTA says it is surprised that the mass transportation system proposal does not extend its connectivity to Malta’s sister island Gozo. The plans for a tunnel between Malta and Gozo are still on the agenda, but this infrastructure is not being linked with the metro system that is being proposed for the mainland.

“The  argument that in order to extend the metro line to Gozo the island’s population must increase by 50,000 persons does not hold water,” the GTA said. “In 2019, over 1,5 million foreign tourists visited Gozo for the day.”

“That same year, pre-COVID-19, Gozo hosted 215,272 domestic visitors and 180,978 foreign visitors, who stayed one or more nights in Gozitan accommodation.”

Those numbers don’t even include the thousands of Gozitan residents working in Malta, nor the amount of Gozitan students following tertiary education in Malta.

The Gozo Tourism Association appropriately asks if the aforementioned numbers were taken into consideration when this metro study was being carried out.

“If Gozo is to be connected with Malta by a permanent link, this should be part of an extended nationwide metro system.” The Association calls on the government to reconsider its position on the proposed tunnel for vehicles between Malta and Gozo, and instead integrate it with the proposed metro system on the mainland.

“Gozo does not need a tunnel for vehicles, but Gozo deserves to be connected with Malta in the right way.”

Do you think Gozo should form part of the metro system?

READ NEXT: From Horses To Witches, Colours Blossomed Over Gozo In Stunning Kite Festival

Belle dives deep into seas and stories. She’s passionate about mental health, environmental sustainability and social justice. When she’s not out and about with her dog, she’s more than happy to hear from you on Instagram @belledejong or at [email protected]

You may also love

View All