Ms Caroline Veranneman is the winner of this year’s Gozo Tourism Worker of the Year Award.
She was one of several tourism workers and businesses recognised for their achievements in the industry during the Gozo Tourism Awards ceremony hosted by the Gozo Tourism Association (GTA) earlier this week at Mġarr, Gozo. The awards were presented by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg, the Minister for Gozo and Planning Clint Camilleri, Malta Tourism Authority CEO Carlo Micallef and GTA Chairman Paul Scicluna.
Caroline Veranneman has 29 years of experience in the Food and Beverage industry and has been working at House and Gourmet (HOG) in Rabat, Gozo for eight years.
This year’s Gozo Tourism Entrepreneurship Award 2024 was won by Ms Alda Bugeja of Gozo Weaving and Creations. The winner of the Gozo Business Niche Tourism Achievement Award 2024 was awarded to Leanne Meilak of Taste of Gozo, whilst the Gozo Cultural Business Niche Achievement award was won by the Aurora International Folk Festival of the Leone Philharmonic Society.
The Gozo Tourism Association Council also awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in Tourism to the late Mr Frank Magro of the Mariblu Guest House and Barbarossa Excursions. The Special Recognition Award in Tourism was awarded to Mr Amand Veranneman, whilst the Gozo Tourism Commitment Award this year was conferred to the Directorate for Tourism and Economic Development within the Ministry for Gozo and Planning.
Deputy Prime Minister Borg commended the Association for organising the Awards, an opportunity to highlight the efforts of individuals and companies to make Gozo a world-class tourism destination. He reminded that the latest statistics show that in recent years, international visitors to Gozo increased by 28.6%. International tourist bed nights also surged by 20%.
“Gozo is rapidly establishing itself as a prime destination for quality tourism, where visitors are drawn by the authentic experiences it offers. The upward trajectory in expenditure per capita and per night among both international and domestic tourists is a clear indicator of this shift toward quality tourism. The Government is determined to spearhead this transition. We are working to support the industry in refining Malta and Gozo’s tourism product. Together, we can achieve more. Together we can foster a more resilient, more sustainable industry, one that can truly benefit all stakeholders,” Borg affirmed.
Minister for Gozo and Planning, Clint Camilleri, highlighted the unwavering dedication and collective effort driving Gozo’s tourism industry. He emphasised the critical role played by operators and workers in offering an authentic Gozitan product, service, and experience that has solidified the island’s position as a leading Mediterranean destination.
Minister Camilleri noted the resilience of the tourism sector, which, despite global challenges, has continued to grow and evolve. He remarked that: “Gozo’s success is due to strategic investments and efforts by the Government, the Ministry and stakeholders to position the island as a year-round destination, with 2023 achieving record-breaking visitor numbers and remarkable growth across typically quieter months.” Camilleri highlighted that Gozo’s enhanced connectivity played a major role in achieving these numbers and emphasised that further improvements are planned for the future.
Minister Camilleri underscored the importance of collaboration and innovation in sustaining this momentum, expressing his commitment to further supporting the industry alongside key stakeholders such as the Gozo Tourism Association, the Malta Tourism Authority, and the Directorate of Tourism and Economic Development. He praised the industry’s adaptability and the efforts of operators and workers in exceeding tourist expectations.
Malta Tourism Authority CEO Carlo Micallef explained that the Authority is continuing to augment its investment in promoting Gozo as a unique experience for visitors, as part of its commitment to position the Maltese Islands as a destination for authenticity, culture and adventure. Gozo also features prominently in targeted marketing efforts to strengthen several niche markets, including diving, destination weddings, outdoor adventure, sports, gastronomy, nature, wellness and culture.
Photos: ODPM-MFT/MGP
