Gozo is becoming like a smaller Malta, Alfred Sant says while sharing concerns about overdevelopment

Gozo is becoming like a smaller version of Malta and will lose its characteristics that attracted visitors, former Labour Prime Minister Alfred Sant said on Sunday when speaking about development on the island.

Writing on Facebook, the Labour MEP said that “too many people (mostly Gozitans)” agree that development in Gozo has reached unsustainable levels.

There must be some truth in this, as Gozo is fast becoming a smaller Malta, he said.

The problem is that there is an ambiguous situation, he added, highlighting a particular contradiction that is being made.

“I cannot understand how serious tourism promoters in Gozo on the one hand are concerned about this development aspect, and on the other hand are in favour of the monster project that seems to have been shelved – the tunnel between Malta and Gozo; or in favour of a project which has been resurrected when it should have been put aside forever: the building of an airport”.

Sant was referring to a recent survey carried out by the Gozo Tourism Association which found that all establishments interviewed are worried about over-development.

All (100 %) of the establishments stated that Gozo is losing its charm and characteristics due to over-development on the island. Furthermore 91% of the survey respondents declared that this development will deter tourists both foreign and local from visiting Gozo.