Victor J Borg, who was a leading figure in the Gozitan business community for his success as a hotelier and an entrepreneur, has been saluted and praised as a Gozitan tourism pioneer.

Mr Borg sadly passed away last Saturday, aged 75, following which tributes and condolences have been issued by the Gozo Tourism Association, as well as the Nationalist and Labour parties.

With a view to create a one-stop-shop for tourists in Gozo, Mr Borg established VJ Borg Enterprise Ltd back in 1969 with a modest car hire business.

He then entered into hotel industry through the Cornucopia Hotel in Xaghra, at which point he became committed to promoting Gozo as a tourist destination on its own steam.

Mr Borg was a trailblazer in the Gozo tourism industry, identifying that the sister island was not on the radar of any overseas tour operator and therefore choosing to market his own tours in the UK, featuring short holidays specifically in Gozo.

Similar packages were then offered during the shoulder months, mainly geared towards the Maltese market.

Remaining faithful to the Gozo hotel industry, the 1990s saw Mr Borg invest in the building of four-star St Patrick’s Hotel in Xlendi, and the purchase of five-star Ta’ Cenc Hotel in Sannat.

He was appointed a member of the National Order of Merit by President George Abela in 2012.

Mr Borg’s later years were marked by a 24-year battle for a development within the unspoiled areas around the Sannat hotel, angering eNGOs and residents’ groups.

In 1996, plans were made for the building of a golf course within the area, and then evolved into a proposal for an extension of the existing hotel,, a heritage park of around 1.5 square kilometres and the building of 15 villas.

Mr Borg consistently stressed that he felt he was best placed to oversee the private land, which he owned, despite public opposition.

Until his passing away, Mr Borg was listed as VJ Borg Enterprise Ltd’s chairman and managing director. He was also an honorary president of the Gozo Tourism Authority.