In line with the National Tourism Strategy, a diving strategy has been launched, with the aim of designing a number of actions that will make the industry one that rewards quality and sustainability. The strategy addresses the challenges of the day caused by the pandemic, the strengthening of the Maltese product, and the exploitation of the competitive advantage that the Maltese islands have in this tourist niche.
This action plan also focuses on recreational diving, aimed at attracting tourists who consider diving a major requirement when going on holiday abroad.
This strategy, drawn up by the Malta Tourism Authority, had the contribution of the Ministry for Gozo, the Professional Diving Schools Association Malta, private diving centers, the Planning Authority, the Malta Tourism Authority. -Environment and Resources, the Directorate for Ports and Yachts within Transport Malta, the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture as well as the Center for Maritime Archeology.
These details were announced at a press conference addressed by the Minister for Tourism Clayton Bartolo, the Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri, and the Chairman of the Malta Tourism Authority Gavin Gulia.
The Minister for Tourism Clayton Bartolo spoke about how the impact of diving tourists in our country has a positive impact on the Maltese economy. “Tourists who come to Malta to dive in our seas tend to have relatively longer visits than other tourists. Our goal is to create more maritime attractions to enhance our versatility in this sector. In fact, it is expected that next summer the scouting of MT Hephaestus will take place, which will serve as another underwater attraction in the southern part of the island of Gozo “, stressed Minister Bartolo .
Minister for Gozo, Clint Camilleri, said that, “Gozo offers no less than 55 different diving sites, most of which are accessible by land. We must continue to build on the good that has already been done so that both Gozo and Malta continue to attract more divers, and this is due to the fact that competition from other countries in the Mediterranean is being strengthened. ” He hoped that this strategy would be implemented so that our country would offer added value to anyone who chooses to come to Malta for the holidays.
The Chairman of the Malta Tourism Authority Gavin Gulia said that, “The implementation of this holistic strategy will be leading to the strengthening of our tourism product, as also listed in the Tourism Strategy for the next ten years. ” He concluded by saying that with this document our country will be taking another step forward in order to establish itself as a center of excellence for the scuba diving industry.
