1234 = ZERO

This week is an interesting week for all us members of the working class. First of all 1 May is Worker’s Day. Secondly being a holiday and coincidentally this year falling on a Thursday, we have a beautiful 4-day long weekend to enjoy.

This weekend will also coincide with the annual ‘Notte Gozitana’ or better know this year as ‘Gozo1234’. It was such a good initiative taken last year by the Ministry for Gozo. But I differ to say this year as things are developing. After all do you have any idea what is going to happen during ‘Gozo1234’? Well if you don’t, then maybe it’s just your fault because you might not be seeing enough of TVM lately!

Word has it that the Ministry for Gozo has farmed out the event to third-parties. Now why do such a thing? We are all sure that there are many capable individuals in the Gozo Culture Department who can do a sterling job. They have done such a great job in the past. So why not now? Can a private body do it better?

We will find out in due time. But my fortune telling skills tell me that it is going to be an utter disaster. I am sorry to spoil the party, but does Gozo deserve this? And what about Gozo’s non-governmental bodies such as the Gozo Business Chamber and the Gozo Tourism Association? Don’t our business leaders have anything to say? Can they possibly be that blind that this year’s event is becoming a fiasco? Don’t we deserve better?

Some food for thought….

How do you expect to attract impressive numbers of foreign visitors at the last minute?

How can you attract foreigners when the video clip on the MTA website is in Maltese?

How can you promote such a massive event when even till this moment the full programme of events is still a work in progress?

Can ‘property open days’ be so tremendously exciting that people will flock over to Gozo?

Remove all the exhibitions, open days, demonstrations, etc… what is left?

Do we really think that people will cross over to Gozo because ‘Xarabank’ will be live from Gozo?

For God’s sake, where is the beef??!

Last year’s ‘Notte Gozitana’ was such a brilliant initiative. This year though it is hard earned tax money down the drain. Better else into the pockets of private entrepreneurs with the prime aim of making a handsome profit!