Gozo’s Carnival weekend saw strong turnout, Gozo Tourism Association CEO says

Carnival has cemented itself as Gozo’s most popular weekend, with this year’s festivities appearing to surpass previous attendance records, CEO of the Gozo Tourism Authority Joe Muscat said.

While official figures from the Gozo Channel are not yet available, as festivities continued on Monday and Tuesday, Muscat said that indications point to a higher turnout than in past years, as thousands flocked to the island for a weekend of vibrant celebrations.

“It has become the most popular weekend in Gozo, attracting both the domestic and foreign market,” Muscat said.

He said that Carnival attracts a younger crowd, and several parties are also organised all around Gozo. However, on Saturday evening, everyone heads to the Nadur Spontaneous Carnival, drawing crowds to the Nadur square.

Muscat said that this year’s good weather also contributed to the success of the festivities, as the usual rain that often-disrupted Carnival events in previous years was completely absent, allowing all activities to go ahead as planned without any delays or cancellations.

He said that the Carnival period is important for tourism, as it comes just after the winter and Christmas period, and before the awaited Easter period.

Muscat said that Carnival tourism in Gozo is not limited to those staying for the entire weekend, as many visitors come up just for a night or even a few hours.

He added that celebrations continue into Monday and Tuesday, extending the festivities beyond the weekend.

Muscat said that while Saturday’s event in Nadur is more of a lively street party featuring floats and large crowds, Monday and Tuesday are traditionally reserved for the “maskarati” – grotesque masks that add a satirical twist to the Carnival celebrations.

The increased connectivity, including the fast ferry and shuttle services, has made it easier for more people to visit Gozo even for a short time, further boosting attendance, Muscat said.

Muscat said that the economic activity over these past few days was certainly widespread.

Beyond accommodation, the Carnival rush boosted various other sectors, including transport, both through ride-hailing apps and traditional garages, as well as food and drink establishments, hawkers at key pickup points, supermarkets, and grocery stores, all benefiting from the influx of visitors, he said.

However, Muscat acknowledged that such a large influx of visitors inevitably brought some negative impacts, including heavy traffic, difficulty finding parking, and long queues at both the Cirkewwa and Mgarr Harbours as cars waited for the ferry or shuttle services to and from Gozo.

On predictions for 2025, Muscat said he was optimistic about the upcoming year, predicting a strong performance for Gozo’s tourism.

He pointed out that last year, Gozo reached pre-pandemic figures, marking a full recovery.

The association is also seeing increases in tourist numbers during the lean and shoulder months, and while Malta still remains a seasonal destination, seasonality is being gradually reduced.

Based on bookings, it seems that this summer will also be a good one for Gozo, contributing to an overall positive outlook for the year, Muscat said.

He spoke of his desire for the Gozo tourism sector to remain distinct, as Gozo offers a unique experience compared to Malta.

Muscat said that tourists should be able to experience the authenticity of Gozo, though this presents challenges.

He said that offering an authentic service can pose challenging when there are no locals to take up the job, and over 70% of those working in the tourism sector are foreign nationals, mostly from the EU or third countries, making it difficult to maintain authenticity.

Muscat said that another challenge is preserving Gozo’s character, which sets it apart from Malta.

Muscat spoke of the importance of ensuring that Gozo tourism remains of high quality, offering visitors an authentic holiday experience that highlights the island’s way of life rather than replicating what is available in Malta.

He added that while visitor numbers are important, it is not mass tourism that is sought after, but rather tourists from specific niches.

While the Carnival niche is significant, other niches, such as diving and gastronomy, should also be promoted, especially since Gozo was awarded the title of European Region of Gastronomy 2026.

Overall, Muscat said he remains encouraged by the predictions, noting that changes to the tourism product, like the rise of boutique hotels and houses of character, are contributing to a promising future.