Summer 2009issue #022

• P31 scuttled off Comino

  On the 24th of August, the Malta Tourism Authority co-ordinated the scuttling of former AFM Patrol Boat P31 off the west coast of Comino, to add to the number of underwater attractions for scuba divers visiting Ċirkewwa and Comino and will complement other underwater attractions also found at this dive site.

  More at: pr26.

• Nina Ruge's 'Mein Malta' published

  Following her press visit to Malta in May, Malta's celebrity 'ambassador' in Germany, Nina Ruge, together with the MTA office in Frankfurt, began compiling an informative booklet focusing on Nina's tips for a fuller, more enjoyable experience of the Maltese islands.

  More at: pr27.

• ‘Flag Feast’ – Festa tal-Bandar - for the 11th – 13th September

  During a well attended press conference held on the last day of August, Parliamentary Secretaries Mario de Marco and Chris Said, as well as Opposition spokespersons Marie Louise Coleiro and Stefan Buontempo officially launched the Festa tal-Bnadar initiative for this year.

  More at: pr28.

• Online marketing crucial for tourism industry

  The Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Dr Mario de Marco said that in an international scenario of late bookings and more independent travellers, online marketing and bookings are proving to be crucial as they highlight the strategic relevance of how internet has completely revolutionised the travel and tourism industry.

  More at: pr25.

• Sports Tourism Scheme 2009 generates 22,000 bed nights

  During a press conference addressed jointly by Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Mario de Marco, and Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sport, Clyde Puli, representatives from 22 Maltese Sports federations and associations were presented with the agreements related to the Sports Tourism scheme for 2009.

  More at: pr23.

• Overseas marketing and advertising

  This year the MTA has carried out a very intensive advertising campaign, including, for the first time, TV campaigns in 5 core markets (as opposed to UK only, as in previous years) – The UK, Germany, Italy, France, The Netherlands. Moreover, the bulk of our advertising campaigns customarily end in May, by when most people have planned their summer vacations. This year, due to the last-minute booking phenomenon and the dire international economic climate, our advertising campaigns shall continue throughout the summer in most of our core source markets. Below is a list of examples of some of the main advertising initiatives, by market, for the summer months.

  More at: pr5.

• Scheme in aid of local councils to organise major events during the year

  With a joint-fund of €250,000 distributed annually, the Department for Local Government and the Malta Tourism Authority aim to encourage further growth in off-peak tourism and a wider interest in rural localities and their heritage.

  More at: pr9.

• Isle of MTV Malta 2009

  This year’s edition of the Malta Music Week, culminating in the Isle of MTV – Malta Special Event, was deemed by many to be the best edition to date. The isle of MTV concert held on the Floriana Fosos on the 8th of July, attracted a huge crowd estimated at between 40-50 thousand people.

  More at: pr2.

• Foreign and local publications

  

  More at: pr1.

• Nintendo launches new game - “Wii Sports Resort” - in Gozo

  World renowned games-console producers, Nintendo, launched their brand new game for the Wii console across Europe Friday the 24 July: Wii Sports Resort.

  More at: pr3.

• The MTA to extend tourist information office network

  During a press conference held in Mellieha, Parliamentary secretary for Tourism, Mario de Marco, officially inaugurated the first new Tourist Information Office (TIO) to be set up jointly between the Malta Tourism Authority and a Local Council, in this case the Mellieha council.

  More at: pr24.

Other news stories this month:

• The quality of product Malta offers to tourists weighs on all our shoulders

  Whilst visiting the works on the promenade in Dragonara Street in St. Julians, the Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs, the Hon George Pullicino and the Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Hon Mario de Marco emphasised that notwithstanding the government's effort to upgrade our offer to tourists, we are all ultimately responsible for the quality and cleanliness of public services.

  More at: pr20.

• MTA Sponsors MICE initiative at the Arena di Verona

  Between the 12th of July and the 7th of August, the Malta Tourism Authority was one of the sponsors of a MICE (Meetings Incentives Conferences Events) initiative revolving around the summer opera season at the Arena di Verona.

  More at: pr22.

• Three beaches in Malta gain Blue Flag certifications

  St George's Bay gains Blue Flag status for the first time whilst the blue Flag certificate for the Bugibba perched beach was renewed for this year as well. Golden Bay has been certified as a Quality Beach by the local representatives for Blue Flag. Regarding cleanliness and hygiene, the local beaches reached a compliance rate of 98.9% in an annual report issued by the European Union.

  More at: pr11.

• Ryanair inaugurates flights from Bristol and Madrid - Leeds/Bradford from March 2010

  Ryanair is now flying direct from Malta to six countries and eleven airports in Europe. Ryanair’s inaugural flight from Bristol to Malta, FR3774, landed on Sunday the 5th of July at 10:30am with a load factor of approximately 83%, or 156 passengers. Ryanair’s inaugural flight from Madrid, Spain, landed in Malta on 17th July with 165 passengers on board: a load factor of over 87%.

  More at: pr6.

• International nurses congress being held in Malta

  The 2011 International Council of Nurses Congress is being held in Malta, the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses said this afternoon.

  More at: pr4.

• World Tourism Day Photographic Competition

  On the 27th of September the Malta Tourism Authority will keep it’s annual appointment and join the rest of the world’s tourism industry in celebrating World Tourism Day.

  More at: pr21.

• Costa Pacifica and MSC Splendida visit Malta on their maiden voyages

  MSC Splendida and Costa Pacifica, two magnificent cruise ships on their maiden voyage, have included Malta in their itinerary around the western Mediterranean. This endorsement proves that the ongoing investments in Grand Harbour by government and private enterprise is already giving a return.

  More at: pr17.

• Sheffield United pre-season highlights from Malta

  Following Sheffield United’s successful pre-season training programme during a heat wave in Malta, the club has taken a look back at some Blades highlights on the Mediterranean island.

  More at: pr8.

• Industry support adds to the success of MTA’s Choice Programme

  The eighth edition of the Choice Programme, organised by the Industry HR Development Unit with the Malta Tourism Authority in collaboration with the Institute of Tourism Studies, held for secondary schools in Malta and Gozo has come to an end. This year a total of 33 schools participated, reaching more than 2500 students.

  More at: pr10.