TO holiday in Malta and not spend a day in Gozo is to miss out on one of the delights of the Mediterranean. And for the 400,000 day trippers who step ashore in Gozo each year, the brief visit invariably inspires a longer return stay.
With its laid-back lifestyle, scattering of villages and appealing rural ambience, Gozo is a world apart from its larger neighbour. It’s where the mainland Maltese go in summer for long weekends to escape their own crowded roads and resorts.
“Gozo’s open space and greenery makes for a different holiday experience altogether, especially in winter and spring when the island is at its best,” said Malta Tourist Office UK and Ireland director Michael Piscopo.
Gozo – the facts |
1. Gozo has no international airport. All international flights are via Malta and transfers can be arranged by land (with ferry crossing) or using a helicopter service. 1. Gozo is ideal for those seeking rest and relaxation or those who like walks in the countryside. It is not best suited to older clients. 3. Gozo is well known for diving and other water sports. 4. English is widely spoken, so there are no language difficulties. 5. Gozo can be great as a stand-alone destination but is easily combined with Malta for a great twin-centre stay (transfers times are about one hour). |
The three five-star hotels and four four-star properties on the island attract mainly couples. They are drawn to the peace and quiet of rural hotels such as Ta’ Cenc, the Kempinski San Lawrenz Resort and the Cornucopia, a converted farmhouse.
Belleair Holidays sales and marketing manager Richard Gamber said: “Malta and Gozo are like chalk and cheese. Gozo clients are typically a bit older, perhaps 45-plus empty-nesters with more money who don’t want the commercialisation of Sliema or St Julian’s.”
However, families are now being attracted by the growing number of Gozo farmhouses converted into holiday accommodation that have up to four bedrooms. What started as a tourism experiment in the early 1980s has now become one of Gozo’s strong selling points.
“These old farmhouses have been beautifully modified and now have their own pools,” said Gozo Holidays manager Louise Ridley. “They are increasingly popular, especially with families, and we’ve added more to our programme this year.”
With historic sites ranging from the 5,000-year-old Ggantija temple complex to the citadel and cathedral of the island’s capital Victoria and about 50 churches and chapels, Gozo has plenty to keep culturally inclined visitors occupied.
For more active types, TUI brand Headwater Holidays has a seven-night half-board walking holiday based on a stay at Gozo’s five-star Ta’ Cenc Hotel. Clients are provided with six walking itineraries of five to 10 miles and the holiday leads in at £727.
Gozo also has niche market appeal. Sunspot deputy managing director Nick Bugeja said hotel weddings are becoming increasingly popular. With limited public transport options in Gozo to access the rural hotels, outlying villages and small sandy beaches dotted around the island, operators report strong take-up for car rental. Prebooked car hire starts at £112 a week with Belleair and from £126 with Sunspot for summer 2006.
Getting to Gozo became easier in March, when Spanish company Helicopteros del Sureste took on the operation of the helicopter link from Malta International Airport that was dropped by Air Malta last year.
An average of 20 flights a day now operate during the summer with eight daily in winter.
