Maltese delegation focused on the promotion of the Maltese Islands as the gateway to Mediterranean Cruising

MALTA RECOGNISED AT MIAMI SEATRADE CONVENTION

Between the 10th and the 14th of March 2008, a Maltese delegation was in Miami to attend the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention. During this visit, Mr. Sam Mifsud, Chairman of the Malta Tourism Authority was presented with a commemorative silver plate by Seatrade Communications Limited, to mark the MTA's support and sponsorship of the 'Seatrade Winter Cruising Shipping Forum' that was held in Malta last January 2008. The presentation was held at the Malta Tourism Authority's Stand at the Miami Convention Centre. Official representatives at the Malta Stand were MTA Chairman Mr Sam Mifsud, Francesca Vincenti, MTA Cruise & Leisure Executive and Chris Paris, General Manager of VISET. The participants focused on the promotion of the Maltese Islands as the gateway to Mediterranean Cruising and as a competitive Home Port for top Liners looking to remain in the Mediterranean.

Dream Publications Limited further recognised Malta for its achievements as a Cruise Destination. Dream World Cruise Destinations Magazine presented Mr.Chris Paris, General Manager VISET, with a commemorative certificate as part of the 2007 awards for Most Improved Destination. This award acknowledges the improvement seen in the tourism product including the infrastructure, such as city and town centre landscaping, traffic flow, provision of transport, access to tourism information, new attractions and experiences. Malta also won the award for Most Improved Port Facilities, as regards to berthing facilities, parking spaces and other related amenities.

These awards augur well for Malta and the Cruise line Industry and reflect that the new broader three-year Marketing and Product Plan the MTA launched, has already started paying dividends.