May/June 2009issue #021

• The MTA steps up UK regional outdoor and online advertising

  A series of outdoor regional advertising campaigns have been undertaken in the UK for the month of June to strengthen existing air routes to Malta and to increase the awareness of new routes. The outdoor campaigns, in Newcastle, Birmingham and Manchester, involve large ‘wrapping’ or ‘siding’ advertisements on taxis (Newcastle) and buses (Birmingham and Manchester) as well as 40 second video adverts on large outdoor LCD display screens (Birmingham).

  More at: pr33.

• MTA increases M.I.C.E. promotional activity

  Over the last few weeks the Malta Tourism Authority’s Marketing division, locally and overseas, significantly increased promotional activity of the Maltese tourism sector’s M.I.C.E offer (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Events).

  More at: pr34.

• BPO Holiday Costs Barometer – Malta 3rd in Euro zone competitiveness rankings

  Last month the British Post Office issued their annual Holiday Costs Barometer, listing prices for various goods and services that one may purchase while on holiday. In this year’s survey, eighteen countries from around the world were featured, including Malta, all being popular or up-and-coming holiday destinations. The prices sampled included: A three course meal for two, sun cream, a British tabloid newspaper, cigarettes and a cup of coffee, amongst others. From the list provided by the Post Office, Malta ranked the third best value-for-money destination from all the Eurozone countries.

  Official BPO press release available for download: [pdf].

  More at: pr32.

• FTI organises "Mega Fam trip" – 1000 travel agents visit Malta

  Details regarding the “mega fam trip” to Malta involving 1,000 German travel agents were given during a press conference at the Cavallieri Hotel St Julians, on Sunday the 17th May. The press conference was addressed by Air Malta CEO Mr Joe Cappello, MTA Chairman Mr Sam Mifsud, FTI CEO Mr Dietmar Gunz and the Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism Dr Mario De Marco.

  More at: pr16.

• Dr Mario de Marco addresses business breakfast

  Speaking during a business breakfast focusing on the tourism industry, tourism parliamentary secretary Dr Mario de Marco referred to various aspects of the industry and said that Malta should not just focus on the usual tourism areas but also on the rural aspect and on village cores.

  More at: pr22.

• Children’s tourism campaign “Apprezza” launched

  The Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Dr Mario de Marco, recently launched a tourism awareness campaign for children – “Apprezza”. Attending this launch at the Malta Tourism Authority Head Office, were the children who appeared in the video advert produced for this campaign.

  More at: pr9.

• Foreign and local publications

  

  More at: pr1.

• MTA renews “benefactor sponsorship” of Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti.

  The Malta Tourism Authorityhas renewed, for the 9th consecutive time its benefactor sponsorship of Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti.

  More at: pr30.

Other news stories this month:

• Gozo mini guide launched at IMEX

  The Malta Tourism Authority launched the Gozo Specific mini guides for the UK market so as to educate the UK trade and build brand awareness of Gozo as a viable travel destination. This includes increasing market share by promoting the shoulder months and increasing visitor over night stays and promoting and positioning the island as an off the beaten track product for active breaks, cycling and walking holidays.

  More at: pr17.

• Easyjet inaugurates flights from Newcastle

  Easyjet’s first flight from Newcastle to Malta, landed at the Malta International Airport on Friday 22nd May 2009, with a load factor of approximately 90%.

  More at: pr28.

• Embelishment works in wied iż-Żurrieq by the Malta Tourism Authority

  During a visit to embellishment and improvement works in Wied iż-Żurrieq, the Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, the Hon. Dr Mario de Marco said that the Government and the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) are investing continually in the Maltese tourism product, as this is essential to offering value for money.

  More at: pr25.

• Sports tourism scheme launched

  Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism Dr Mario de Marco and Parliamentary secretary for Youth and Sport, Clyde Puli launched the Sports Tourism Scheme in a press conference held recently.

  More at: pr13.

• Dutch photojournalists in Malta courtesy of ANWB Reizen magazine

  Recently in April a small group of photo journalists including three amateur photographers, who won the trip to Malta as a prize, were hosted by the Malta Tourism Authority to photograph Malta.

  More at: pr15.

• Best practices of EU funded Tourism projects launched

  A publication featuring a selection of projects funded by the Grant Scheme for Tourism Enterprises (2004-2006) has been launched, as part of the programme of activities marking the fifth anniversary of Malta's accession to the European Union.

  More at: pr29.

• Manager of MTA Sweden recieves prestigious award in recognition of her work

  On the 14th May, Ms Patricia O’Connell, Manager Malta Tourism Office, Sweden, received the award for Bästa Informatör 2008 - presented by the Chairman of the Association of Swedish Travel Writers & Journalists (STJ), Mr Lennart Berns.

  More at: pr26.

• Nina Ruge discovers Malta

  Last month, popular German TV host and author Mrs Nina Ruge, who is Malta’s newly appointed VIP ambassador to the German market, visited Malta for a whirlwind visit, the first of more to follow.

  More at: pr19.

• Haber lands top community award with Blades

  Haber lands top community award with Blades and other SUFC related news…

  More at: pr3.