The evaluation of the potential benefits and costs associated with the construction of a mooring buoy for cruise liners in Gozo

Abstract

“The cruise industry has evolved considerably and in recent years emerged to become one of the most rapidly developing segments of the global tourism industry, with millions of passengers cruising each year” (Sun, 2014). The cruise industry will create numerous benefits and costs to that particular cruise destination. Gibson and Bentley (2007) stated that this sector will generate numerous benefits to that destination. On the other hand, Hritz and Cecil (2008) argue that “the benefit of cruise ship tourism is overstated and does not account for the social and environmental impacts”. This long essay aims at identifying the extent to which the construction of the mooring buoy for cruise liners in Gozo will have an impact on the island. The main objective is to determine the potential benefits and costs of the construction of a mooring buoy for cruise liners in Gozo. Will the project be perceived as beneficial or will the construction of a mooring buoy for cruise liners meet resistance? The study also aims at identifying which local businesses will benefit from this development. The final question revolves around the identification of the ideal location for such a project in Gozo. A quantitative research method was used. Questionnaires were employed in order to gather information for this investigation. The study found asserted that the majority of the respondents believed that the construction of a mooring buoy for cruise liners will be beneficial for the island and that the numerous benefits that this sector will generate in Gozo by far outweigh the economic and environmental costs of the project.