Constraints of the Gozitan Tourism Sector Jan-April 2023

1. Page 1

 

1. TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT

Answer Choices

Response Percent

 

1

HOTEL

 

10.87%

 

2

BOUTIQUE HOTEL

 

2.17%

 

3

GUESTHOUSE

 

6.52%

 

4

B & B

 

4.35%

 

5

SELF CATERING FARMHOUSE

 

17.39%

 

6

SELF CATERING APARTMENT

 

4.35%

 

7

SELF CATERING VILLA

0.00%

 

8

REAL ESTATE

 

6.52%

 

9

DIVING

 

8.70%

 

10

RESTAURANT

 

17.39%

 

11

TOURISM CONSULTANCY

 

2.17%

 

12

TOURIST ATTRACTION

0.00%

 

13

TRANSPORT

 

10.87%

 

14

TRAVEL AGENCY/DMC

 

6.52%

 

15

Other (please specify):

 

2.17%

 

 

 

 

 

Other (please specify): (1)

1

30/05/2023 17:22 PM
ID: 219306059

Activities Provider

 

2. Shortage of EmployeesWhat of the following would you propose to mitigate the shortage of staff in the tourism sector on Gozo?

Answer Choices

Response Percent

 

1

Stop the unnecessary employment in the public sector and the community worker scheme

 

70.45%

 

2

Offer favourable tax incentives for employees in the tourism sector

 

59.09%

 

3

Grant schemes for tourism establishments to train their work force in English language, local history and regulations

 

25.00%

 

4

Revamp the ITS School in Qala to attract more students to follow courses there

 

34.09%

 

5

Fast track the applications for work permits/visas for foreign workers

 

52.27%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Any other proposols (8)

1

29/05/2023 14:21 PM
ID: 219233296

Promote to youths to consider hospitality as a career. It is a skill which gives the individual a passport to the world.

2

29/05/2023 14:27 PM
ID: 219233502

Offer at the early stages in the Education System education on services and pre ITS related subjects so from a young age the students would take summer jobs in the sector and with this experience they will more likely be attracted to take it as a lifetime job.

3

29/05/2023 15:32 PM
ID: 219236513

Curb illegal employment and introduce heavy fines for both irregular employees and employers. Govt should check what, if any, taxes foreign employees are paying before leaving the islands (including children leaving with over 5000 euros in toys).

4

30/05/2023 09:30 AM
ID: 219266239

Incentivize students to work during the summer holidays.
Need Nursery facilities near the establishments, especially in Marsalforn, Xlendi and VIctoria.
Klabb 3 - 16 - extend after school hours
Extend the hours of the Summer Club so that the parents can leave the children while working.

5

09/06/2023 12:03 PM
ID: 219977964

Also to have frequent courses in Gozo by Transport Malta for the new drivers to get the required driving license to drive minibuses, coaches etc...

6

09/06/2023 15:33 PM
ID: 219995931

We need locals to join the tourism sector if we want to give that feeling once again to our visitors .

7

09/06/2023 15:34 PM
ID: 219995932

We need locals to join the tourism sector if we want to give that feeling once again to our visitors .

8

10/06/2023 11:58 AM
ID: 220033294

Attractive salaries and Benefits
Paid Double for Public and yearly events

 

3. Shortage of employeesIs your establishment still encountering difficulties to recruit new employees?

Answer Choices

Response Percent

 

1

YES

 

60.47%

 

2

NO

 

39.53%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Foreign EmployeesIs your establishment still opting to employ foreign employees?

Answer Choices

Response Percent

 

1

YES

 

77.27%

 

2

NO

 

22.73%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your preferred employee Nationality (19)

1

29/05/2023 14:21 PM
ID: 219233296

Work ethic and culture more important than nationality

2

29/05/2023 14:22 PM
ID: 219233325

Local and European

3

29/05/2023 14:27 PM
ID: 219233502

EU citizens

4

29/05/2023 14:53 PM
ID: 219234501

There is no choice. Locals are hard to come by at any price

5

30/05/2023 08:29 AM
ID: 219261210

English Speaking

6

30/05/2023 13:05 PM
ID: 219285395

First preference is local however these are not available

7

30/05/2023 21:18 PM
ID: 219321099

Maltese

8

01/06/2023 12:25 PM
ID: 219432040

Philippines, Nepal

9

09/06/2023 12:03 PM
ID: 219977964

Maltese

10

09/06/2023 13:33 PM
ID: 219985040

german, swiss, austrian

11

09/06/2023 13:42 PM
ID: 219985760

Not really - as long as they perform according to our requirements.

12

09/06/2023 15:33 PM
ID: 219995931

Gozitan, Maltese, then if no other choice Philippines before others.!

13

09/06/2023 15:34 PM
ID: 219995932

Gozitan, Maltese, then if no other choice Philippines before others.!

14

09/06/2023 15:35 PM
ID: 219996061

Asians

15

10/06/2023 00:32 AM
ID: 220021372

South Americans / Europeans

16

10/06/2023 11:58 AM
ID: 220033294

Nepalese

17

12/06/2023 16:23 PM
ID: 220128922

Maltese

18

13/06/2023 09:08 AM
ID: 220171296

English speaking

19

13/06/2023 11:08 AM
ID: 220184310

90% are foreigners

 

5. Foreign Employee's constraints What are the main issues and difficulties encountered when you employ foreign staff?

Answer Choices

Response Percent

 

1

Bureaucratic process to apply for the visa and work permit

 

12.20%

 

2

The lengthy process for the granting of visa and work permit

 

48.78%

 

3

Finding the right employee to fill your vacancy

 

39.02%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Foreign Employees constraintsWhat are the disadvantages in employing foreign staff?

Answer Choices

Response Percent

 

1

The lack of basic knowledge of the job they will be performing

 

40.54%

 

2

No knowledge of the English language

 

13.51%

 

3

The foreign employee quits his job after a short period

 

21.62%

 

4

The employee is poached after being trained

 

24.32%

 

 

 

 

 

Your comments (9)

1

29/05/2023 14:21 PM
ID: 219233296

None if you employ the right candidate with a decent CV, right skill set and mentality.

2

29/05/2023 18:25 PM
ID: 219242881

Maltese would rather prefer to liaise with local staff

3

30/05/2023 08:29 AM
ID: 219261210

All four points are also relevant

4

09/06/2023 12:03 PM
ID: 219977964

To find the right employee with the required driver's license.
Also no knowledge of the English language which is very important in this job.

5

09/06/2023 15:33 PM
ID: 219995931

Foreign workers need atleast 1year to adapt and then the problem starts they want to go back after few years unless you bring all family 🤣

6

09/06/2023 15:34 PM
ID: 219995932

Foreign workers need atleast 1year to adapt and then the problem starts they want to go back after few years unless you bring all family 🤣

7

09/06/2023 15:35 PM
ID: 219996061

the advantages outweigh the disadvantages by a huge margin

8

10/06/2023 11:58 AM
ID: 220033294

Also for Gozitans, its a disadvantage when compare with Maltese as employees when they arrive here, the seek for better opportunity and income.

9

12/06/2023 09:02 AM
ID: 220083527

We can only employ highly qualified staff, foreign or local.

 

7. Touristic Product of Gozo What is your opinion about the general touristic product of Gozo both negative and positive ?

Answer Choices

Response Percent

 

1

The Island needs a general clean up

 

56.82%

 

2

Need of continuous maintenance of public places, playing fields and gardens

 

61.36%

 

3

The Island is a whole construction site with cranes as the new landmark of Gozo

 

84.09%

 

4

The unfinished projects that give a shabby look about the destination

 

75.00%

 

5

An impression of a disorganised and chaotic destination

 

54.55%

 

6

No enforcement whatsoever

 

59.09%

 

7

Lack of adequate road signage

 

27.27%

 

8

Jam packed annual cultural calendar

 

31.82%

 

9

Very frequent connectivity

 

31.82%

 

10

Various types of accommodation available

 

36.36%

 

11

The Gozitan experience

 

36.36%

 

 

 

 

 

What else is effecting negatively Gozo (15)

1

29/05/2023 14:21 PM
ID: 219233296

The accomodation sector is not organised enough as one sector working together. All depending on online channels and nothing is being done to work together to bring in people directly. Bigger hotels and operators in Malta capturing lions share of mice and incentive travel.

2

29/05/2023 14:22 PM
ID: 219233325

Traffic for the ferry at Gozo side as well as Cirkewwa to Ghadira Malta

3

29/05/2023 17:37 PM
ID: 219241315

skyline of cranes and extremely bad roads

4

29/05/2023 18:25 PM
ID: 219242881

Malta Tourism Authority to to put more effort promoting Gozo as a destination, at least in Europe.

5

30/05/2023 08:29 AM
ID: 219261210

The Island does not need a packed Calendar of events as this takes away the tranquil feeling of the island.

6

30/05/2023 09:30 AM
ID: 219266239

We are looking after the environment, excessive-high buildings, the esthetic of the new buildings is very poor, too many vehicles, not enough parking facilities.

7

30/05/2023 10:05 AM
ID: 219269274

Regardless of tourists trying to eat lunch cement mixers and diggers carry on as if tourism doesn't matter ! WAKE UP GOZO. Presume it is the issue of permits where there is NO locality/time taken into account. TOURISTS WILL NOT COME AGAIN !!!

8

31/05/2023 13:58 PM
ID: 219363604

You hit it on the nail

9

09/06/2023 12:03 PM
ID: 219977964

Lack of road closure signs and deviation road signs which is very important for tourists.

10

09/06/2023 14:11 PM
ID: 219988445

The construction is summer everywhere when tourists are here all they can hear is construction from 6am. I understand it has to be done but stop July to September at least.

11

09/06/2023 15:33 PM
ID: 219995931

More enforcement and fines on littering , upkeeping of road patches, public toilets needs upgrades, police controlling tourism areas specially late nights in Marsalforn

12

09/06/2023 15:34 PM
ID: 219995932

More enforcement and fines on littering , upkeeping of road patches, public toilets needs upgrades, police controlling tourism areas specially late nights in Marsalforn

13

09/06/2023 15:35 PM
ID: 219996061

unfinished properties on the outside at least. in my opinion any building permit that is issued should include a stipulated timeframe for the project to be totally finished at least from the outside to give the impression that the building is "finished" . Heavy fiscal penalties should be levied if this clause is not adhered to. No shell properties should be allowed.

14

12/06/2023 09:02 AM
ID: 220083527

PRICES have DOUBLED. Accommodation, Food, everything is now too expensive. More than ROME !!

15

13/06/2023 11:08 AM
ID: 220184310

i feel that Gozo is at a big loss and we are loosing our identity. Everything is becoming very frustrating and in having a business on Gozo is def not the easy thing to have !

 

8. Touristic Product Do you feel that your own establishment needs to be upgraded to meet the current tourists' expectations?

Answer Choices

Response Percent

 

1

YES

 

55.81%

 

2

NO

 

44.19%

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. Touristic Product If yes are you financially in a position to effect the required upgrades and renovations ?

Answer Choices

Response Percent

 

1

YES

 

30.30%

 

2

NO

 

69.70%

 

answered

 

skipped

 

 

10. Increase in costsWhich of the following operating costs were the most impacted by increases?

Answer Choices

Response Percent

 

1

Food

 

46.67%

 

2

Beverages

 

35.56%

 

3

Transport

 

15.56%

 

4

Energy

 

17.78%

 

5

Cleaning

 

37.78%

 

6

Wages

 

73.33%

 

7

Financial costs

 

35.56%

 

8

Repairs and renewals

 

66.67%

 

9

Audit Fees

 

22.22%

 

10

Other (please specify):

 

6.67%

 

 

 

 

Other (please specify): (3)

1

30/05/2023 08:29 AM
ID: 219261210

There are increases overall so this is effecting our profitability since we cannot increase our prices.

2

30/05/2023 10:05 AM
ID: 219269274

Bank charges are OFF THE SCALE ! We do our own banking, they use our money and CHARGE US FOR THE PRIVELEGE !

3

09/06/2023 15:35 PM
ID: 219996061

encroachment liscences

 

11. Increase in costs Due to the increases in operating costs did you increase your selling prices/rates to reflect these increases

Answer Choices

Response Percent

 

1

YES

 

65.22%

 

2

NO

 

34.78%

 

 

 

 

 

 

12. Performance up to dateHow do you rate your establishment's performance during the first four months(January to April) of 2023 when compared with the same period (January to April) of last year 2022?

Answer Choices

Response Percent

 

1

Less than 2022

 

37.78%

 

2

Equal to 2022

 

37.78%

 

3

Better than 2022

 

24.44%

 

 

 

 

 

Your comments if any on the past four months performance (9)

1

29/05/2023 14:53 PM
ID: 219234501

Gozo needs to target turists for the shoulder months. And we need them to come to gozo as a sole destination and not come here as a one day stop while they are on holiday in Malta.

2

29/05/2023 17:37 PM
ID: 219241315

Too many properties bought by the Maltese have taken our Maltese and foreign clients as there is an oversupply of licenced and UNLICENCED APARTMENTS.

The building boom in Gozo is ruining the island and consequently clients are on the decrease, especially Maltese.

3

29/05/2023 18:25 PM
ID: 219242881

Maltese are choosing other European destination after the end of COVID

4

30/05/2023 21:18 PM
ID: 219321099

5

31/05/2023 13:58 PM
ID: 219363604

Less profits

6

01/06/2023 12:25 PM
ID: 219432040

Much much more needs to be done in general in Gozo. Based on the recent NSO data of Q1 2023... nearly 400,000 visited Malta from Jan to April. But only 15,000 visited Gozo. This amounts to only 4%, which is negligible. Gozo needs a fresh revamped marketing strategy to bolster its awareness overseas, once again after Covid-19. In Malta, tourism has gone from strength to strength after Covid-19, but unfortunately the same cannot be said for Gozo.

7

09/06/2023 12:03 PM
ID: 219977964

Lack of tourists

8

09/06/2023 15:33 PM
ID: 219995931

I work a lot with the local market

9

09/06/2023 15:34 PM
ID: 219995932

I work a lot with the local market

 

13. Forecast for 2023How are you forecasting your establishment's performance for the upcoming summer season (June to September) 2023 when compared to same period of 2022?

Answer Choices

Response Percent

 

1

Less than 2022

 

32.56%

 

2

Equal to 2022

 

53.49%

 

3

Better than 2022

 

13.95%

 

 

 

 

 

Your comments if any on your forecast for 2023 (6)

1

29/05/2023 15:32 PM
ID: 219236513

Although we are reporting 'equal to 22' reservations are coming in at very last minute which potentially our performance will end up better than 2022.

2

29/05/2023 17:37 PM
ID: 219241315

All Maltese properties are competing with the licenced properties,. as every apartment bought will take all the owners' family members, thus reducing our clientele.

3

30/05/2023 10:05 AM
ID: 219269274

The future is looking bleak, next year will be worse as the tourists that experienced this years BUILDING SITE GOZO will NOT come again AND will tell ALL their friends.

4

09/06/2023 15:33 PM
ID: 219995931

hopefully same like last year when it comes to sales

5

09/06/2023 15:34 PM
ID: 219995932

hopefully same like last year when it comes to sales

6

12/06/2023 09:02 AM
ID: 220083527

People will not stay on a building site, NOISE, DUST, TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS !
Destroying what Gozo is famous for, peace, quiet, slowly slowly PARADISE ! BUT NOT ANY MORE.