Abstract
The scheme incentives extended holidays in Gozo with a minimum stay of 7 or 10 nights between January 2 and March 15, 2025. By supporting accommodation operators in attracting longer stays, the scheme aims to sustain quality tourism, targeting tourists seeking an experiential and immersive visit. Alongside others measures in place, this scheme aims to reduce seasonality and promote regenerative tourism.
Description
The Ministry for Gozo and Planning, in collaboration with the Gozo Tourism Association, has re-launched a scheme to incentivise extended holidays in Gozo.
The scheme shall include changes to enhance its appeal and decrease administrative burdens. There will be two categories of stays:
- A minimum 7-night stay but less than 10 nights. Therefore, this category includes 7-night, 8-night or 9-night stays only.
- A minimum 10-night stay.
Reservations may be booked directly through the relevant accommodation operator’s website or through third-party online booking platforms, primarily Online Travel Agencies and Tour Operators.
Successfully enrolled operators will feature on an electronic landing page promoted on the VisitGozo and Gozo Tourism Association platforms, providing essential information to online viewers. VisitGozo will also run international promotional campaigns to raise awareness of the scheme. Operators are encouraged to promote the scheme through their own platforms and affiliated partners.
Beneficiaries
The beneficiaries of this scheme are the accommodation operators, and therefore only they can claim for reimbursements with the Ministry. The client, in this case the tourist / guest, shall benefit from the offer upon payment to the accommodation operator, Online Travel Agency or Tour Operator.
The Ministry, through VisitGozo, will create a pertinent landing page providing links to each participating property’s website. Therefore, only properties with their own website will be eligible to sign up for the EOI.
Interested accommodation operators should apply to participate in this scheme by completing and submitting the below EOI by not later than 23 October 2024.
Support Rates:
There will be two minimum stays’ categories. The overall grant which serves as a discount to the traveller/s is calculated at:
- 20% of the total accommodation expense per eligible reservation up to a maximum of €200 for those staying a minimum 7-night stay but less than 10 nights in Gozo. Therefore, this category includes 7-night, 8-night or 9-night stays only.
- 30% of the total accommodation expense per eligible reservation up to a maximum of €300 for those staying a minimum 10-night stay.
The discounts cited above are split with a co-financing rate of 80% by the Ministry for Gozo and Planning and 20% by the accommodation operator. While accommodation operators are permitted to offer greater discounts, the reimbursement granted by the Ministry will adhere to the rates and maximum intensities specified above.
Eligible reservations should have their first day of stay falling between 2 January 2025 and 15 March 2025. The date of reservation must fall in the period between 24 October 2024 and 1 March 2025.
Accommodation operators can apply for reimbursement of the eligible reservation only after the respective visitor/s have checked-out from the accommodation. Claims for reimbursements are to be submitted simultaneously and not separately or sporadically, between 26 March 2025 and 25 May 2025.