An airport will be opened on a tiny European island to increase tourist arrivals

While some regions of Europe are now thinking about how to control the flow of tourists, others are coming up with ways to attract more visitors. The small Maltese island of Gozo is planning to implement an ambitious project to do so.

According to the Express, Gozo was previously accessible only by ferry. Because of this, tourists came here for no more than a day. Now, for the convenience of visitors, they plan to build an airport and invest in the development of tourism infrastructure in general.

Gozo is part of the Maltese archipelago, located between Sicily in the north and Libya in the south. The airport should connect it to Malta by air. Plans to expand the Gozo airfield were approved by the Planning Council in October. Currently, the landing site for aircraft is located near the village of Sheuqiya and accepts only emergency flights. It is a half-abandoned helipad. Local authorities are planning to expand the runway to accommodate smaller airplanes and helicopters.

According to local press reports, the entire project is expected to cost €2.5 million. The modernization of the helipad will cost €1.6 million, and another €861,000 is planned to be spent on the purchase of three nine-seater aircraft. The airport is scheduled to open in 2026. It is expected to receive 15 flights a day, both scheduled and charter. The ticket price will range from UAH 1-1.5 thousand.

In addition to receiving flights, the new airport is planned to be used for other purposes. For example, it will be used for parachuting lessons.

Ronald Sultana, Director of Tourism and Economic Development at the Maltese Ministry of Gozo and Planning, said: "We don't mind day trips, but we want to turn some of the day trips into longer stays." According to him, this will help to develop the industry, but will not create a problem of over-tourism.

In addition to the airport, Gozo also plans to open a new sports center and several boutique hotels. Guests of these hotels will be able to stay overnight on the island to admire local attractions, such as megalithic temples such as the Jgantian Temple. These structures are some of the oldest stone buildings in the world.

Now Gozo is lagging behind Malta in development. Agriculture prevails here. They want to use this nuance to attract tourists who want to take a break from the bustling metropolitan areas.

There are several sandy beaches on the island, such as the Ramla Bay in Sha'ar and Nadur, as well as seaside resorts popular with both locals and tourists. First of all, we are talking about Marsalforn and Schlendi.

Currently, the ferry crossing between the port of Mġarr in Gozo and Cirkewwa on the northwestern coast of Malta takes 25 minutes one way and costs 4.65 euros. The Gozo Channel Line operates sailings every 45 minutes in summer and almost as often in winter.

August is the hottest month in Gozo, with an average temperature of 27 °C. However, even in the dead of winter it is quite warm, with an average daytime temperature of 16°C in November. The island's tranquility, magnificent landscapes, and rich culture make it an ideal place for a winter vacation.

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