Dive centres on the Maltese island of Gozo have reported cancelled dives and disappointed customers due to the closure of Mġarr ix-Xini, Ta’ Ċenċ and Fessej Rock to allow the new movie by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie to be filmed there.

The areas have been closed since 24th August and were due to re-open on 15th October, but over the past weeks this date has been moved back several times. The latest re-open date is mid-November.

Two meetings were hastily arranged and dive centre owners met with the Minister for Tourism, Dr Edward Zammit Lewis and the Film Commissioner, Engelbert Grech to discuss how access to these dive sites could be obtained only when the North West wind prevents diving anywhere other than the south coast. Whilst it was agreed at the meeting there should be a process in place to allow the divers access on these days, so far permission to dive there has been denied. It appears they have no consideration for the diving industry.

Without these dive sites available, there are only two other sheltered spots accessible on the south coast. With 12 dive centres on Gozo, plus others from Malta diving here on a daily basis, these sites become very crowded and there is concern for diver safety due to the number of divers in a limited area and the possibility by some to dive little known dive sites as an alternative.

The dive centres do not want to prevent the filming taking place but are asking for consideration to be given to the many holidaymakers, including divers who have paid money to enjoy these areas. They feel that it is not inconceivable that a plan of compromise can be put in place; indeed many ideas were presented to the Minister of Tourism as to how this would work and so they are now questioning why they are being ignored.

Brian Azzopardi, owner of Atlantis Dive Centre says, “our best advertising is the word of mouth. After slowly building up my reputation over the past 20 years, I am afraid that the same ‘word of mouth’ will result in loss of tourists next year. When the North West wind blows, and this is the prevailing wind of the Maltese Islands, we are stuck with only 2 sheltered dive spots, having lost 3 (Mġarr ix-Xini, Ta’ Ċenċ and Fessej Rock) to the filming industry. Our clients are already complaining and cancelling dives when we end up diving on the same two dive spots for a whole week.”

“The needs of the diving industry are being ignored and the money generated from the film is welcome but at what cost?” says David Hayler-Montague, Director of Diving at Bubbles Dive Centre.

“This farcical situation has meant tourists paying good money are having their diving holidays ruined due to the closure of over 50% of diving sites on Gozo when the North West winds set in. Why we were never consulted about this film has never been explained. Dive centres have worked hard to build up the diving industry here, especially in light of the problems in Egypt and now, thanks to the mis-guided priorities of some, these achievements are being reversed.”

Diving is a multi-million Euro industry in Gozo when taking into account the subsequent hotel, bar, restaurant and transport incomes, and there is concern that if the reputation of diving there is tarnished, the whole island economy will suffer.

Source: www.independent.com.mt