Tourism in Gozo will be given a further boost through another project aimed at supporting the diving industry as a niche tourism market for Gozo. The project involves the creation of an artificial dive-site by scuttling two diving wrecks. Such dive-sites are proving to be very popular with divers around the world. The actual scuttling of the vessels was an important event in itself for diving enthusiasts and took place on 12th August 2006.
To complement the dive-site, a multi-purpose recompression chamber facility at the Gozo General Hospital will also be set up as part of the project. This is a medical facility, currently not available in Gozo, which is essential for a destination that aims to attract divers. This is one of the issues divers take into consideration when choosing a diving destination. Should diving accidents occur, the divers will be treated immediately in Gozo. The third part of the project consists of an overseas marketing campaign to promote Gozo as a diving destination. This marketing campaign is specifically marketing Gozo.
Who will benefit?
The tourism industry of Gozo will benefit from this project as well as the local diving enthusiasts
How much is being allocated to the project?
€ 1,319,962
How is the project progressing?
The two vessels were scuttled at Ix-Xatt l-Ahmar on 12th August 2006. The Recompression Chamber will be set up at the Gozo General Hospital in November 2006 and the marketing campaign is well underway with adverts having appeared in foreign diving magazines over the winter & shoulder months in view of the summer season. The campaign will continue until the end of 2006. In addition, the Discovering Gozo website (www.discoveringgozo.com) is now up and running and clearly provides information on the diving facilities in Gozo as well as useful information on Gozo.
Structural Funds Programme for Malta 2004-2006.
Project part-financed by the European Union - European Regional Development Fund.
Co-financing rate: 75% EU:25% Government of Malta.
