The impact of distance on the choice of bays in Gozo : case study, Mgarr ix-Xini Bay

Abstract

Gozo, being a small island, is characterized by short distances. Since car ownership is extremely prominent amongst the locals residing in Gozo, one would assume that no one is influenced by distance in one's travelling patterns within this small island. This dissertation challenges this assumption and sets the hypothesis that notwithstanding the size of Gozo, some Gozitans are influenced by the friction of distance in their travelling patterns. Within this context, the research will try to investigate whether Gozitans prefer to frequent bays which are situated closest to their respective residing localities. Moreover, the study also examines whether Gozitans choose to frequent the closest bays because they prefer to minimize journey distances. Mgarr ix-Xini Bay was chosen as a case study for this research to investigate whether the majority of Gozitan visitors frequenting this Bay originate from the closest localities. In addition, this study also tries to identify motivations which encourage Gozitans to frequent this site. The main issue of this study, that is, whether distance is a significant factor even in a small island such as Gozo, is discussed on the basis of the obtained results in the concluding chapter. Within this study, the hypothesis which is accepted is that notwithstanding the small size of Gozo, some local residents are still affected by distance in their travelling patterns. Hence, one should reject the hypothesis that the friction of distance is totally negligible in Gozo.