Malta - Gozo permanent link : perceptions and implications

Abstract

The issue of accessibility is ever connected with islands-whether it makes islands unique or pin-point the limitations. Gozo, being an island, on the one hand, enjoys certain benefits and on the other hand, being a periphery of the main land Malta heavily depends on Malta economically and politically. This research investigates to understand to what extent Gozitans want to remain as islanders or want to become part of the wider Maltese community by means of being connected by a permanent link. The research also attempts to understand to what extent a permanent link between Malta and Gozo will jeopardize tourists’ perception of Gozo as a holiday destination. The research has found that the Gozitans have a mixed reaction about their core-periphery relationship with the main land Malta as well as tourists have a mixed perception on the accessibility issue of Gozo.