The Gozo Tourism Association is appealing for the government to scrap the project proposing a tunnel between the islands of Malta and Gozo and ‘safeguard Gozo’s character.’ 

In its list of proposals for this year’s budget, the GTA pointed to the continuously emerging proposal for a tunnel between the sister islands. 

The proposal estimated that the domestic gross product of Gozo comes from the tourism sector, which was immensely impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

A long-term plan is therefore necessary, it stated, whilst also praising the improvements done in terms of transport between the islands. The fast ferry system needs strengthening, the air hangar in Xewkija needs immediate launching and a new vessel to replace the Nikolaus needs to be built, said the statement. 

The opposition to the tunnel between the islands goes against the approval given by the Gozitan Chamber of Commerce. The latter stated in its own budget proposals that more priority needs to be given to the permanent connection between Malta and Gozo. 

In terms of environmental proposals, the GTA said that Gozo needs to be deemed a Design Priority Zone, with the rural planning authority’s politics being updated to reflect the size of Gozo. This needs to be done in consultation with the local councils, the Gozo Regional Development Authority and all stakeholders involved. 

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