New discount scheme to encourage long tourist stays in Gozo during shoulder periods

A scheme to attract tourists to Gozo during shoulder periods between 2023 and 2024 was launched by the Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri, which will grant tourists discounts for long-stays.

The extended-stay incentive scheme will be eligible to tourists who will be on holiday in Gozo between 15th October 2023 and 15th March 2024 for a duration of at least 10 nights, staying within a single property.

Eligible tourists will be given a 30 per cent discount on the booking, for up to €300.

The discount will be co-financed between the Government (80 per cent) and the private sector (20 per cent).

Private operators will also offer an additional 10 per cent voucher to those who have booked, in order to encourage them to return the following summer.

It was highlighted by the Minister that the number of repeat tourists regularly exceeded 50 per cent in recent years.

“Through this scheme we will continue to build on what we have already done so that Gozo is not just a summer destination,” said Minister Camilleri.

“Therefore, we are directly affecting the autumn and winter months, when there is the tendency for foreign tourism to decrease after the summer months.”

He further explained that Gozo has experienced an increase in shoulder periods, this is considered to be the time between the peak and the offseason.

He thanked the Gozo Tourism Association (GTA) for having pushed for this initiative, and the Directorate for Tourism and Economic Development within the Gozo Ministry for having worked on it.

A total of 15 operators with more than 140 eligible properties between them were registered as participants for the scheme, following a call for the expression of interest issued by the GTA. The properties vary from four to five-star hotels, boutiques, self-catering villas and farmhouses.