Spectre of mega-projects looms again

Abstract

With tourism figures predictably on the downturn, authorities are now gripped by a frenzy to bolster confidence once more in the tourism sector - they are going about this task not by clamouring to save our vanishing natural areas, for example, to attract more ecotourists but by promoting a rat-race for mega-projects, reminiscent of the building boom of the Sixties and Seventies. Once again, Gozo was chosen as the whipping boy when it comes to development - this time on adverts in several newspapers in which the government is inviting persons or organisations interested in carrying out a scheduled air service between Malta and Gozo to submit proposals to the Ministry for Transport and Communications. AD's stance on the matter is laudable as it was the only organisation to ask for clarification as to whether the adverts referred to a fixed-wing plane service (hence, needing an airstrip) or simply a continuation of the existing helicopter service (to stop next April).