Over the weekend, Gozo lost a great businessman and gentleman, Mr Victor J. Borg. As news of his passing spread, tributes poured in from family, friends, colleagues and politicians, honouring the man who believed so much in Malta’s sister isle.

One moving tribute was that of his daughter, Elayne Borg. “Proud to be your daughter. The void I feel is indescribable. Love you so much dad,” she said on Facebook, sharing a post of one of the family’s businesses.

“A true gentleman who will be greatly missed by all those who had the opportunity of knowing him,” one of Borg’s businesses, Gozo Garage Care Hire & Handling Agents shared on Facebook. “We will always remember his smile and will be forever grateful for the endless opportunities,” Cornucopia Hotel wrote on Facebook.

Victor Borg was Honorary President of the Gozo Tourism Association, as well as being one of Gozo’s leading hoteliers. “In the late 1960’s Victor J Borg had the foresight, vision and belief that Gozo can be a tourist destination. From a modest beginning of a car hire business, Victor with sheer courage, ventured into the Hotels sector when in 1970 he was already involved in the Cornucopia Hotel in Xaghra,” Island of Gozo Facebook page shared.

“A firm believer in Gozo as a distinct destination in the 1990’s Victor Borg continued investing in the hotels sector through the building of the St Patrick’s Hotel and the purchase of Ta’ Cenc Hotel.”

“Today hundreds of Gozitans in their silence are grateful for Mr Victor J Borg for offering them work and career opportunities in his several touristic businesses. The contribution of this stalwart in the Gozitan tourism industry will never be forgotten by all of those who have tourism on Gozo at heart.”

GuideMeMalta offers its condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr Borg. May he rest in peace.