Mediterranean Gozo – tiny historic green paradise named gold destination

Already a Quality Coast Gold destination – Gozo now goes for top 100

Tiny Gozo is packed full of environmental beauty, history and culture, now it’s going for inclusion in the 2016  Global Sustainable Destinations Top 100

One of three inhabited islands that are part of Malta’s island group, Gozo is tiny.  But although the island has a surface of just 67 square kilometers, it is packed full of wonders. Gozo is distinguished from Malta by its green nature and rustic setting. With its unspoiled nature, cultural and historical sites and numerous annual festivals it is a fabulous twinkling gem of a destination for visitors.

If you’re looking for a green island with its own local identity, Gozo is a perfect place to visit. The beautiful bays, the green hills and the impressive rock formations gives the island an unique beauty.

In addition the island boasts 7000 years of history, including the oldest free-standing megalithic temples, that are a UNESCO World Heritage site – the -gantija Temples in Xag-§ra . Anyone who sets foot here, is captured by the raw beauty and the authenticity that places elsewhere have lost.

And the tiny island’s Medieval Citadel is superb

The island is determined to pursue a sustainable tourism policy to preserve and enhance its glorious environment and use it for the benefit of its community.

Gozo has consistently focused on expanding its tourism product to the whole island.  This has impacted positively its local communities.  The island’s  accomodation offer consists principally of self-catering units, many of them renovated buildings situated in village cores. 

Gozo also promotes a number tourism niches which are sustainable and provide added value to the community.  Moreover the island is renowned for its all year round cultural calendar put up by the local people through voluntary initiatives.

Through its ecoGozo initiative the Ministry for Gozo has also conducted actions focusing on the conservation and preservation of its natural environment.  Gozo’s efforts have been consistently recognised among the international community as it was awarded the Quality Coast Gold Award in 2012 and 2016.  In 2014 Gozo also featured among the Top 100 Global Sustainable Destinations.

Local food and wine in this warm culture are also very important and are an integral part of the sustainable tourism offer. The Ministry for Gozo has undertaken various initatives to promote local artisans and producers including the support and promotion of specific festivals including a Farm to Fork Festival Next step is a quality mark brand for Gozo products which will benefit both local artisans and visitors who want an authentic taste of this beautiful island.

Certainly Gozo is a worthy candidate for the Global Top100 Sustainable Destinations.

Valere Tjolle

GOZO GD

Cultural calendar

Quality Coast Gold

Farm to fork

Access

Through the ecoGozo Regional Development Directorate Gozo has continued its participation in the SIMBIOTIC project implemented between Maltese and Sicilian partners where locally, activities have focused on ecological restoration and tree planting initiatives in four sites in Gozo.  During the year 2013, the project sites where ecological restoration has taken place were monitored for developments and maintained accordingly.  For more information see ‘ecoGozo 8 pager information booklet’ through this link (http://ecogozo.com/index.php?option=com_phocadownload&view=category&id=19%3Asustainable-development-documents&lang=en)

Buildings such as museums have been made accessibile to persons with disability.  All attractions which are being restored or developed are also taking into consideration this aspect.  Two very popular beaches in Gozo such as Marsalforn and Ramla Bay are also accessible to the disabled as a ramp is specifically mounted during summers.  Specific legislation is also in place on how buildings and sites need to be designed to make them accessible for people with a disability.  The Planning Authority consults actively the National Commission for Persons with Disability, which issues specific guidelines which need to be followed (http://www.knpd.org/pubs/pdf/AADGJune2012.pdf )

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