• Malta - Sheffield United FC sponsorship

  In a well attended press conference held on August 21st, at the Phoenicia Hotel, the sponsorship deal for 2008/2009 was explained in more detail.

  More at: pr24.

• Parliamentary Secretary Dr. De Marco calls at VISET

  On August 22nd Dr Mario De Marco, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism paid a courtesy call to VISET, and was taken through the exhibition “Valletta Waterfront tells its Story in Pictures”.

  More at: pr25.

• Destination Malta is new Sheffield United sponsor

  In a press launch organized this afternoon at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane stadium (6:00pm CET), details of the club's new sponsorship deal with the Malta Tourism Authority were announced by top club officials as well as by the Malta Tourism Authority's Director, UK, Chris Fenech.

  More at: pr21.

• New head, Big shoulders

  Two months on and MTA CEO Josef Formosa Gauci is still smiling and relishing his ‘interesting’ new role. With a history heading up the MHRA and a business pedigree, Mr Formosa Gauci is a formidable character with the courage of his convictions and more importantly, a sense of humour.

  More at: pr17.

• Prime Minister personally thanks MTA staff for their work

  The MTA staff were on the 23rd July, personally thanked by the Prime Minister for their work to maintain a healthy Tourism Industry.

  More at: pr20.

• Dr. Mario De Marco’s official visit to the Grand Hotel Excelsior

  The Grand Hotel Excelsior was delighted to welcome Dr. Mario De Marco, Minister Of Tourism, for his first official visit to the Hotel on Monday 4th August 2008.

  More at: pr14.

Other news stories this month:

• Joseph Calleja – Luciano Pavarotti tribute concert

  Last year saw the demise of one of classical music's greats - Luciano Pavarotti. It was therefore a very befitting choice by Malta's own favourite tenor, Joseph Calleja to dedicate his local concert on the 12th July, to Pavarotti.

  More at: pr13.

• Appreciation shown to assaulted coach driver

  On the 23rd July, Dr Mario de Marco, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism together with Mr Josef Formosa Gauci, CEO, MTA, met with Mr Mario Muscat, the coach driver who was involved in an unfortunate incident during the transport strike.

  More at: pr16.

• Parliamentary Secretary for tourism meets coach – assault students

  On the 18th July, Dr Mario De Marco, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, met the 90 students who were first-hand witnesses to an act of aggression against their coach driver during last month's transport strike.

  More at: pr19.

• The Malta Tourism Authority awards secondary school students

  The CHOICE programme, organised by the Industry Human Resources Development Unit within the MTA in collaboration with the Institute of Tourism Studies and the Tourism Studies Association, this year involved over 6,000 secondary school students. This programme targets students in all secondary schools, and it aims to raise students’ awareness about the tourism industry and tourism related career opportunities.

  More at: pr28.

• Hamlet of Santa Lucija in Kercem - Gozo

  The Hamlet of Santa Lucija in Kercem, has ably succeeded in sustainably develop and promote the intangible heritage within its locality.

  More at: pr6.

• Blue flag day held at St George’s bay St Julians

  The 8th of August saw the Malta Tourism Authority and various stakeholders, present at St George’s Bay, St Julian’s, to take part in the second Blue Flag Day.

  More at: pr22.

• New information panels in Mdina

  On the 8th of July, two information panels were placed in Mdina. One is located at Vilhena Gate and the other at Greeks’ Gate.

  More at: pr15.

• Beer Festival

  Once again Malta's much loved and expected festival took place between Friday the 25th July and 3rd August.  As usual the Farsons Annual Beer Festival supported by the MTA, did not disappoint, with two entertainment stages, namely the main and the rock stage, an enlarged kids area, international food stands and obviously - the heart of the festival- BEER!  One was spoilt for choice not only with local beer but also with foreign selections. However, this year was special for local beer producers, Farsons, as it was Malta's favourite beer's birthday!! The classic Cisk turned 80 this year, and is still going strong, with many new spin off beers carrying the same brand name in production.

  More at: pr9.

• The Malta Tourism Authority in-service programme

  The Malta Tourism Authority, together with the Department for Curriculum Management, has kept its annual appointment with teachers through its In-service programme.

  More at: pr10.

• Tourism Zone Monitoring: Installation of CCTV cameras in Paceville

  The Malta Tourism Authority has been monitoring the Tourism Zones for the past five years through a specially-designated unit within the Product Development Directorate. This unit is responsible to ensure that the mundane tasks of urban management are executed by the respective local councils and to ensure that central government is providing the necessary support through extra human and financial resources.

  More at: pr12.