Tourism Performance January to December 2007
January to December 2007 registered a record number of inbound tourists estimated at 1,243,510, an increase of 10.6% or 119,275 tourists over the corresponding period a year ago. This growth was primarily attributable to an increase in holiday visits, mainly from the British, Scandinavian and Irish markets, 87.1% of all inbound tourists originated from EU Member States.More at: pr02.
19 winners at the Malta Tourism Authority STAR Awards
On the 20th February, during the annual MTA STAR Awards ceremony held at the Corinthia San Gorg, 19 STARS were awarded for excellence in service or product, while the top nominees also received recognition. This lively event was enjoyed by all present, not least thanks to the hilarious sketches offered by ZOO.More at: pr12.
2007 breaks all time tourism records
In a press conference held at the Hilton Hotel, the Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi, stated that 2007, “is a record year for tourism ever since the Industry was first established as a pillar of Maltese economy.”More at: pr16.
First live webcam on visitmalta.com
The Malta Tourism Authority announced the launch of the first in a network of webcams to be featured on its www.visitmalta.com website. The live image from the camera can be viewed at www.visitmalta.com/webcamMore at: pr15.
Launch of Tourism Career Awareness DVD
On Wednesday 13th February, heads of schools, teachers and guidance teachers, and members from the Malta Tourism Authority and the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry for Tourism and Culture and Ministry of Education Mr Peter Portelli and Mr Frans Borg respectively, met at Sacred Heart School for the official launch of a Tourism Career Awareness DVD. This educational music DVD features Ira Losco who follows a tourist during his seven-day stay in Malta, identifying the various careers in the tourism industry. The aim is to highlight the myriad of careers available in the tourism industry, both directly and indirectly. This DVD will facilitate the role of teachers in relation to the dissemination of tourism employment related information amongst their students.More at: pr14.
Grand Prix de Malte in Paris
The Grand Prix de Malte stand at the Retromobile fair Paris. The Malta stand attracted more visitors than the opposite Marseille stand. With the exception of Tunisia all other Grand Prix are organized within France. More at: pr18.
Gypsy Mambo - a night of Balkan brass
Februrary 1, Liquid Club was packed with revelers moving to the unmistakable beat of Balkan brass. The MTA sponsored the event.
More at: pr09.
Carnival in Nadur
More at: pr05.
Other news stories this month:
Carnival in Bugibba
More at: pr07.
Carnival in Valletta
More at: pr06.
The People Make Your Country Shine
Donna Gorrie lives in Meaford, Ontario Canada and travelled to Malta for the first time in 2007. Donna graduated in Travel and Tourism long ago, worked with the Ministry of Tourism for Ontario/Ministry of Economic, Trade and Commerce and more recently as the Chamber of Commerce Manager and Tourism Coordinator. She made time to write us a letter to share her impressions of her holiday stay. Here are some exerpts from her lovely letter.More at: pr17.
Malta at Neckermann Polska
Last year Neckermann Polska flew 136,471 tourists to Malta, which makes 11% increase comparing to 2006. The seats in charter flights were sold in 88% and Neckermann plans to increase this figure in 2008. Gross income for 2007 is 14.6 million PLN. Malta will be offered as a leisure and English language destination and excellent place for honeymoons.
More at: pr04.
Gozitan art in Germany
Gozitan artists Christopher Camilleri (limestone sculptor from Xaghra) and Anthony Camilleri (painter from Nadur) will exhibit their works until March 2nd at art gallery “Hellhof”, a renowned and long-established venue for art lovers in the picturesque and well-off Kronberg region.More at: pr19.
Powerboat P1 Announces Exciting New Calendar For 2008
Friday 11th January 2008, London Boat Show, ExCeL: The Powerboat P1 World Championship has today announced the most exciting calendar in its history with the introduction of five new venues, including its inaugural Grand Prix in the Middle East and first ever French and Spanish Grands Prix of the Sea.More at: pr11.
Calendar of events:
- NOV 1-23
- Volumes
- NOV 15,29
- Chasing Pandora
- NOV 21-22
- Cafè Brasil
- NOV 26, 27
- Italia Film Festival
- NOV 29
- Malta Music Awards (MFCC)
- DEC 1
- Italia Film Festival
- DEC 12,27
- Chasing Pandora
- DEC 12
- Bay Music Awards
More news:
Visitmalta hosting advertising space
Visitmalta is accepting advertising in the form of a single static jpeg or gifs on website pages. Most pages can be booked giving the advertisire a unique opportuity to capitalise on the website's popularity, thus engaging potential visitors before they make purchasing decisions about their holiday.More at: pr03.
Malta premier for new Bize Lizu show
On the 14th, 15th and 16th of February 2008, Bize Lizu will be performing for the first time ever the unique cabaret show "A Night in Paris".More at: pr08.
Sketches from Home
Celebrating 2008 as the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, Musiconnect (Malta) is presenting Sketches from Home, a captivating performance of creative musical dialogue that spans from highly energetic to evocative and sensitive moments. Featuring three exceptional artistes - Chinese traditional flute player Guo Yue, Malta’s foremost percussionist Renzo Spiteri, and British piano and accordion player Ben Murray – who were brought together by a chance meeting during a WOMAD festival in the Republic of Korea, Sketches from Home is a truly inter-cultural and trans-national collaboration that will expose a geographical, musical and cultural mélange.More at: pr01.
Rock band No Snow No Alps in Denmark
The 22nd of January 2008 saw the local band nosnow/noalps head off to Copenhagen, Denmark to play two live shows. Travelling to Copenhagen was quite a mission, and we couldn't have done it without the help of the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA). We first caught a plane to Bremen, Germany then ventured onwards to Copenhagen by train, which lasted for 6 hours - a trip over land and sea (yes, the train actually got on a ferry). By 11pm we arrived at our destination, where we were greeted by Louise, Jesper and Lars Peter (promoters and members of Johnny Luger). Although we were all tired from the long day travelling we couldn't resist not going round the beautiful city of Copenhagen that same night.More at: pr10.