More Brits heading to Malta

Malta Tourism Authority has just announced its air passenger statistics for the first 7 months of 2007 which are the best on record for over six years. “British & Irish passenger figures recorded to and from Malta show an increase of 10.4% in passenger traffic totalling over 633,242 for 2007 to date,” announced Chris Fenech, Director UK and Ireland, Malta Tourism Authority.

“In particular, areas such as Wales and Ireland have seen a significant rise due to increased flights” continued Fenech, “the overall growth can be attributed to a combination of increased awareness of the variety Malta has to offer, year round events and low cost carriers entering the market”.

What’s happening in Malta now:

Caravaggio exhibition by Heritage Malta

Around ten magnificent paintings - seven of which are authentic works by Caravaggio, and three attributed to the great master of realism – are on loan to Heritage Malta to be exhibited at the Museum of Archaeology in Republic Street, Valletta, between September and November 2007 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Caravaggio's arrival on the island in 1607.

Heritage Malta is about to put together what it has described as "the biggest ever art exhibition" on the island as they welcome Carravaggio’s famous pieces of artwork such as “Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy” and the “Sacrifice of Isaac” from across the globe. The collection will join the “Beheading of St John the Baptist” which is permanently exhibited in St John’s Co-Cathedral. For further information visit Heritagemalta.org

Royals Return

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh will pay a short private visit to Malta in November, at the invitation of the Maltese Government. The British Monarch will be stopping on route to Uganda for a State Visit during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that will be held there in November.

The Queen is familiar with Malta. Apart from her state visits, she also lived here as a Navy wife at various times between 1946 and 1953 while the Duke was stationed on Malta as a Royal Navy officer.

They lived at Villa Gwardamangia, which was owned by the Duke’s uncle, the Earl Mountbatten of Burma.

The two most recent visits of the Queen to Malta were in May 1992 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the bestowal of the George Cross to Malta, and in November 2005 during the CHOGM hosted here.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s most notable visit was in 1964 when, in the name of the Queen, he presented the Instruments of Independence to then Prime Minister Dr George Borg Olivier.

Malta plans the first Mediterranean Music Academy

World-renown conductor Maestro Riccardo Muti has been invited to consolidate his developing rapport with the Mediterranean island by taking on the role of Honorary President of the Mediterranean Music Academy – Malta. The Academy will be housed on the site of the historical Naval Hospital in Bighi overlooking Malta’s spectacular Grand Harbour.

The Academy will place particular emphasis on the Mediterranean dimension of music. Throughout history, the Maltese Islands have played host to the encounter of diverse cultures. Malta’s geographical position served as a catalyst for this unique aspect, which constantly enhanced the islands’ cultural and artistic spectrum consolidating Malta’s positioning as a foremost cultural destination in Europe. The Academy will also focus on the role of music as a basic tool for creating outstanding cultural projects and promoting cultural tourism to Malta.

It is projected that the Academy will start its operations in October 2008 with a series of master classes conducted by members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. These will be the first of a string of four master classes that will be held between October 2008 and June 2009 and a series of events conducted by Mro Muti will be held in the capital Valletta to introduce the Music Academy Project. Participants will enjoy the exclusive opportunity to see the Maestro “of all opera”, follow the rehearsals and discuss opera production directly with one of the greatest musicians of our time. For further information visit Maltamusicacademy.org.

Malta hosts a legendary match in footballing rivalry - England v Italy

England legends Lee Sharpe, Paul Gascoigne, David Seaman and David Platt will be just some of the high profile international players set to face the Italian legends team in Malta this coming November. The charity match in Ta’Qali will kick off a week of festivities in Malta and will be followed by a superb list of music artists, headlined by Simply Red, performing at the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre for the Malta Music Festival 2007. For further information on the event please see Visitmalta.com

Seaplane link to Gozo

The seaplane service to link the Grand Harbour to Mgarr started operating in July 2007. Operated by Canadian company Harbour Air Seaplanes, the aircraft is initially planning to run five round trips a day from the Waterfront to Mgarr harbour with a flight time of around 20 minutes.

The aircraft will be landing outside the harbours and moor alongside a pontoon where 14 passengers will pay Lm15 (approx. £23) for a one-way trip.

A floating pontoon has been placed along the quay at the Valletta Waterfront and a terminal in Mgarr Harbour, Gozo.

The company is also planning to introduce a series of scenic tours, priced at Lm27, especially for the cruise liner passengers, who will disembark within metres of the aircraft. The Malta service will be the second passenger seaplane in Europe, with another one based in Corfu. For more information visit Harbourairmalta.com.

Valetta Goes Green with Clean Car Service

A new transport system for Valletta, using bubble-like state-of-the-art electric cabs for three passengers was set up in June 2007, adding a greener dimension to the capital city by reducing air and noise pollution.

The CT Cab system, launched by CT Park Ltd yesterday, will initially consist of 10 battery-powered chauffeur-driven cabs, transporting passengers from 10 points in Valletta to any destination within the city. Valletta's grid-like streets have been divided into two zones for the purpose of the innovative transport system that exists in only two other European cities.

The system, another chapter in a series of projects targeting transport in Valletta, was a means to mitigate the side effects of its pedestrianisation, while introducing more competition in the transport section, which would result in an improvement of services. For more information see Visitmalta.com.