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Malta Tourism Authority: Summer News

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As the summer season in Malta draws to a close and travelers look ahead to autumn, the archipelago offers a season full of wonderful weather and an abundance of activities. There is something for everyone, ranging from historical ruins, relaxing beach getaways, exploring an incredible underwater world, and a jam-packed schedule of events.  Following is a roundup of the latest news from Malta and the best dates for the diary.

Second Gatwick flight added by Air Malta launching Winter 2019

In need of some winter sun? Air Malta is increasing the frequency of its flights from 27th October with a second weekly flight departure from Gatwick Airport. This will result in 14 flights a week from the airport. Combined with flights from Heathrow, there will be four daily flights to the stunning archipelago. The new flight times will allow tourists travelling to Malta to maximise their time on the island as departures from Gatwick will start from 5.55 AM and return flights from Malta will leave between 21.50 PM and 23.00 PM.

Heritage Malta Historic Wreck Sites

Malta has identified and gained access to 12 historical wreck sites. Consistently named the second-best diving destination in the world, diving enthusiasts will be able to visit these sites by appointment with The Underwater Cultural Heritage Unit (UCHU). Divers will now be able to explore these incredible locations that range from a 2,700-year-old Phoenician shipwreck, to WWI battleships and dozens of aircraft crash sites.

Freediving workshop in Malta with Umberto Pelizzari, 27-29 September 2019

Enjoy a three-day freediving workshop with Freediving champion, Umberto Pelizzari. The workshop is dedicated to passionate and certified free divers from all over the world who are looking to enhance their skills and knowledge. As the only workshop to be taught in English in 2019, this is a unique opportunity for freedivers to learn first-hand about Umberto Pelizzari’s theoretical and practical expertise. The workshop will take place from 27-29 September 2019 at Divebase Malta.

2000-year-old temple floor discovered

A 2000-year-old floor, dating back to pre-historic times was recently uncovered at a farmhouse during an ongoing excavation in Tas-Silġ. The floor belonged to the Temple of Ashtart, which was made famous by Roman senator Cicero. This discovery forms part of a wider, long-term project by Heritage Malta, which will eventually be transformed into a visitor centre.

Latest tourism figures from Malta

Malta has seen a significant increase in its tourism figures, with the number of people visiting the island more than doubling since 2010. The largest number of tourists comes from the UK with more than 280,000 visiting in 2019 alone.

DATES FOR THE DIARY

Malta Pride: 6-15 September 2019

There is no better place to celebrate Pride than at the number one LGBTQ+ European destination. Malta has retained the top spot for the fourth consecutive year, awarded by the IGLA index in recognition of its laws, policies and lifestyles of its LGBTQ+ community. Starting on 6 September 2019, Malta Pride offers an abundance of activities across the island; from fashion shows, concerts and parties to human rights conferences and discussion groups. The celebrations will finish in style, with the main Pride March on 14 September in the capital, Valletta.

Birgufest: 11-13 October 2019

Birgufest is a true celebration of culture and art in one of Malta’s most historic towns: Birgu. With events taking place throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy a variety of experiences including historical re-enactments, local art exhibitions, concerts and discounted tickets to museums and historical sites. Candles and flowers line the streets and music plays throughout the town creating a magical atmosphere.

Super League Triathlon: 19-20 October 2019

The Super League Triathlon will return to Malta this October combining a glamorous location with the very best in swim, bike and run action. As ideal location for the sporting event, the historical Mediterranean island is surrounded by hundreds of miles of water and is home to historical forts, ancient temples, towering City Gates, and magnificent scenery as well as Super League’s most notorious hills; last year’s racing saw the top triathletes of the world battle it out in some of the most exciting sprint finishes of the entire season.

The Rolex Middle Sea Race: 19 October 2019

Named as the most beautiful racecourse in the world, The Rolex Middle Sea Race returns this October. This nautical spectacle is a true highlight of the sailing calendar, bringing together the very best the sailing world has to offer. Competitors will race around the challenging and changeable circumnavigation of Sicily, before returning to the archipelago’s waters. Spectators can watch the start of the adrenaline packed course against the backdrop of Valletta’s impressive Grand Harbour.

Baroque Festival:  10 – 25 January 2020

The annual Valletta Baroque Festival is returning for its eighth consecutive year in January 2020. Treating audiences to unique, cultural classical performances, this upcoming prestigious two-week festival will showcase the very best musical talent in some of Valletta’s wonderful historical venues.

About Malta

Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean. Comprising three main islands – Malta, Comino and Gozo – Malta is known for its history, culture and temples dating back over 7,000 years. In addition to its fortresses, megalithic temples and burial chambers, Malta is blessed with nearly 3,000 hours of sunshine every year. Capital city Valletta was named European Capital of Culture 2018. Malta is part of the EU and 100% English speaking. The archipelago is famous for its diving, which attracts aficionados from around the world, whilst the nightlife and music festival scene attract a younger demographic of traveller. Malta is a short three and a quarter hour flight from the UK, with daily departures from all major airports across the country.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Lauren Williams, Emily Olsen or Georgia Gogarty at malta@finnpartners.com or 020 7326 9880

Hainan Airlines announces nonstop Beijing-Oslo service

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Hainan Airlines Holding Co., Ltd. (Hainan Airlines) plans to formally launch nonstop service between Beijing and Oslo on May 15. This will be the first direct route between mainland China and Norway as well as the airline’s first nonstop Nordic service. The Beijing-Oslo route, with three round trip flights weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, will be serviced by an Airbus A330-300 aircraft with 32 seats in business class and 262 seats in economy class. Business class will be equipped with 180-degree flatbed seats, while every seat on the aircraft comes wired with an exclusive on-demand entertainment system and every passenger will be served sumptuous offerings from both Western and Oriental cuisines. In addition, the use of portable electronic devices on board will be allowed.

The airline now operates 21 routes with destinations in Europe including Berlin, London, Paris, Rome, Brussels, Edinburgh, Zurich, Vienna, Manchester, Madrid and Moscow. Tickets for Beijing-Oslo flights can now be reserved.

Hainan Airlines’ Beijing-Oslo Flight Schedule (All times are local):

Flight No.

Aircraft

Schedule

Departure City

Departure Time

Arrival Time

Arrival City

HU769

A330

Monday/Wednesday/Friday

Beijing

1:30 am

5:30 am

Oslo

HU770

A330

Monday/Friday

Oslo

2:30 pm

5:30 am+1

Beijing

HU770

A330

Wednesday

Oslo

1:55 pm

5:00 am+1

Beijing

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PM Hotel Group to manage new TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Austin, Texas

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PM Hotel Group, one of the industry’s leading hotel management companies, has been selected to operate the new TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Austin, Texas. This new hotel represents the first TownePlace by Marriott property in the PM Hotel Group portfolio and further expands the company’s relationship with Marriott International.

“We are thrilled to have been selected to manage the TownePlace Suites- Austin, which expands our footprint in Texas,” said Joseph Bojanowski, President of PM Hotel Group. “Austin is a rich and exciting city, and with this new project we are thrilled to be broadening our relationship with another valued ownership group, Scenic Capital Advisors.”

Currently under construction and scheduled to open in October, the 103-room hotel is conveniently located minutes from the Austin International Airport and downtown attractions.

“The south Austin corridor is growing rapidly, and we are excited to bring a new extended-stay Marriott product to a location that is conveniently located to all that Austin has to offer,” said Thomas Chen, Principal of Scenic Capital Advisors. “Expanding our partnership with PM Hotel Group has been tremendously rewarding, and we eagerly anticipate future opportunities.”

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Relive the spirit of the Renaissance during Brussels’ Carolus V Festival

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From May to September, the Carolus V Festival is an opportunity for Brussels to relive the spirit of the Renaissance. Among the countless activities offered, the talks and guided walks through the capital of Europe let visitors explore the time of Charles V, the most powerful emperor of the 16th century. This year, to celebrate the 450th anniversary of the death of the great Flemish master Bruegel, several new activities have recently been added to the festival’s extensive programme.

The Carolus V Festival programme is part of the cultural network ‘European routes of Emperor Charles V’. This tourist and historical route is recognised by the European Council’s European Institute of Cultural Routes. It reunites the places that marked the reign of Charles V and the cities he passed through.

The heritage and history of Europe in the 16th century are thus highlighted thanks to a series of festive, cultural and family-oriented activities organised in several spaces throughout the Brussels Capital Region. Through tours and outings, visitors relive various aspects of life under the reign of Charles V.

This year, to celebrate the 450th anniversary of the death of the great Flemish master Bruegel, the festival will offer visitors a variety of original exhibitions and activities. This is the perfect occasion to (re)discover the monumental work of the greatest Flemish painter of the 16th century.

Here is a quick snippet of the guided tours and talks from this special year:

GUIDED TOURS

Brussels in the time of Erasmus – FR

From the Petit Sablon square to the Erasmus House garden, this tour allows you to follow in the footsteps of Erasmus and the century in which he lived.
Dates: 22/06 & 21/09 at 2 pm

Bruegel the Elder and the secret of the two keys

Let’s stroll through Brussels where, beginning in 1562, Bruegel lived and created his most beautiful paintings. A true alchemist, did he know the secret of the two keys?
Dates: 14/07 & 08/09 at 2.30 pm

Bruegel and his Marollen – FR

Come on this walking journey and discover the Marollen of the 16th century… and more specifically the protagonist of our artistic culture: Pieter Bruegel.
Date: 02/06 at 2 pm

Charles V and Brussels Golden Age in the Renaissance – FR – EN

Starting at the Place Royal in the Sablon neighbourhood, then moving toward the Grand Place, you can admire parks and churches, palaces or plain facades and the statues and fountains that bring back memories of Charles V.
Dates:
FR: 06/06 at 11 am
EN: 21/06 at 11 am

Behind the scenes at the Ommegang, part 1 – FR

Dive into 1549 with a guide in period costume and find out how the show is put together. We invite you behind the scenes of the Ommegang to witness its frantic preparations.
Date: 09/06 at 2 pm

Habits and customs of the Renaissance: Brussels, a walled city – FR This ‘route’ will lead you from a seigneurial area to a bourgeois area.

Date: 23/06 at 2 pm

Behind the scenes of the Ommegang, part 2 – FR

Two hours before the Ommegang, you can wonder at and experience the last preparations of this commemorative show.
Date: 28/06 at 7 pm

Guided tours. Brussels in the time of Erasmus – EN

From the Petit Sablon square to the Erasmus House garden, this tour allows you to follow in the footsteps of Erasmus and the century in which he lived.
Date: 22/06 at 2 pm

Guided tours of the Erasmus House – FR – NL

As part of the Heritage Days, discover the Erasmus House with our seasoned guides!
Dates: 14 & 15/09, 10 am – 6 pm

For several of these visits, group visits are also available on demand for the duration of the festival (according to availability of guides) in multiple languages (FR, NL, EN, DE, ES), and certain visits in French are adapted for those with vision impairments.

Talks that history enthusiasts will love

During May and June, history buffs can attend talks to better understand the realities of the period and to learn more about Brussels in the time of Bruegel.

Bruegel, a Brussels painter? – FR

It was during the 1560s and in Brussels that Bruegel created the majority of the paintings that we attribute to him today. The awareness of the ties between the artist and the city provide quite a different story about who he was or what the city where he lived and worked was like. It’s shocking how much recent research is providing us with new information on the Brussels of this master. If he did not in fact live where we always suspected he had, it can’t be far off. It is likely that Dull Gret, his most important work preserved in Antwerp, was not made in Antwerp but in Brussels.

Useful information:
Date: 23/05
Time: 6.30 pm
Speaker: Roel Jacobs
Location: Bibliothèque des Riches-Claires – 1000 Bru
Price: Free

Brussels in the time of Bruegel – FR-NL

The 1560s are one of the most important decades in Brussels’ history, and it is also the period in which Pieter Bruegel lived in the city. You will understand how important the city was in Bruegel’s life just by learning about the history of the city during that period.

Useful information: Dates: 20/06 NL
27/06 FR
Speaker: Roel Jacobs Time: 6 pm
Length: 1.5 hours
Price: Free
Location: Maison du Roi – Grand – Place 1000 Bru Info &

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PM Hotel Group announces senior leadership promotions

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PM Hotel Group today announced three senior leadership promotions. The company’s executive team is expanding with the promotions of Seon Heo and Fran Owen as Vice Presidents of Sales & Marketing and Chris Macary to the role of Vice President of Hotel Operations.

“The strong portfolio growth we experienced in 2018, opening 3 new properties and taking over management of 3 existing hotels, has continued into Q1 of 2019. These promotions reflect the demonstrated strength of our management team and our well-deserved reputation for creating a culture that develops and promotes professional growth,” said PM Hotel Group President, Joseph Bojanowski. “Seon and Fran have both displayed extraordinary value in their regional sales and marketing roles and will now assume additional portfolio-wide strategic responsibilities. Over the past five years Chris has illustrated operational excellence. We are thrilled to see each of them transition into these newly created positions. Seon, Fran, and Chris tangibly contributed to the record RevPAR growth PM Hotel Group experienced in 2018.”

Together with delivering on the robust 2019-2020 pipeline of projects, ensuring operational excellence continues to be a priority for PM Hotel Group. In Q2 the management company will welcome to its portfolio, the new Home2 Suites by Hilton Silver Spring, the first LEED Platinum hotel in the state of Maryland.

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Skate & Style event coming to Munich Airport

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Top-flight professional skateboarding is a breathtaking spectacle. At the new Skate & Style event, now coming to Munich Airport, spectators will witness dazzling displays of tricks, spins and jumps. From April 24-28, the airport’s MAC Forum will be turned into a skateboarding hotspot as it hosts the South German championships in this exciting sport.

In the Club of Skaters (COS) Cup, competitors will face off in three categories, with the winners qualifying for the national final at the end of November at Europapark Rust, Germany’s biggest theme park. Spectators at Skate & Style who are up to the challenge are also welcome to grab a board and test their own skills on the 800 square meter park terrain.

The four-day event will feature numerous highlights, including a program of entertainment and fun activities. As fans watch, Germany’s skateboarding elite will attack the ramps and obstacles and showcase their best moves. And between rounds of the 2019 COS Cup, local heroes will go head to head in the Titus Locals Only Competition (LOC) Cup.
Registration for COS and LOC contestants will take place during the first open practice sessions on Friday April 27.

On Saturday, starting at 1 pm, things will then heat up as participants start vying for spots in the final. The semifinal and final rounds will take place on Sunday starting at 11 am. Before the awards ceremony, a special attraction awaits at 5 pm: the Ravenol Barrel Jump. In this test of skill, skateboarders accelerate towards a row of barrels, jump off at the last second, and try to make a clean landing on a board positioned at the other end.

On all four days of the event, the park terrain will be open not only to competitors, but also to passengers and airport visitors keen to give this exciting sport a try. Every day from 10 am to 6 pm, Skate & Style will host free open sessions and workshops, with instructors offering tips for the parcours or miniramp. Skateboards, helmets and pads can be borrowed at no cost. Visitors to Skate & Style can park free of charge for up to five hours in the P20 car park.

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Tourism plays a major role in poverty alleviation, says PM Imran Khan

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Calling the tourism industry as a major role in poverty alleviation and one of his top priorities, Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan has unveiled his vision and features of the Tourism Policy of Pakistan to develop tourism as an industry in the country.

Former cricketer, Imram Khan, published a pictorial “A journey through Pakistan” in the early 80s to promote Pakistan among his international followers as one of the top starts of the Cricket world. He brought several European celebrities to Pakistan during the 80s and 90s to show the beauty of Pakistan among such celebrities as the late Lady Diana, Princess of Wales, and the mother of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.

The Prime Minister, while addressing the Pakistan Tourism Summit on Wednesday, was of the view that Pakistan is one of the most beautiful lands on Earth, and still has virgin places offering explorers exceptional adventures, reported the DND News Agency.

His view of developing tourism is based on his view that the role of the state is to facilitate tourists by providing them infrastructure and security, and the rest should be done by private sector.

He believes that poverty has decreased due to tourism in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and that tourism can be a major tool for poverty alleviation in Pakistan.

He stated that his government has opened its first International Information Tourist Corner in Belgium to introduce Pakistan as a tourism destination where tourists can get information about its unique culture, exceptional natural beauty of its northern areas, and the traditional lifestyle of its mountain people.

He stated that while collaborating with a Dutch Company, the Tourist Corner established in Brussels is the first-ever initiative by the Pakistani mission in Belgium to promote tourism products of Pakistan.

He stated that his government already started online visa processing for residents from 175 countries, and an e-visa facility is playing a role in attracting tourists.

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WTTC Global Summit: President Obama was a disappointment for many

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U.S. President Barak Obama was the most expected speaker at the ongoing World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) summit in Seville today.

More than 1500 CEOs, association presidents, ministers of tourism, and heads of state were attending the summit, and hundreds of viewers from around the world were watching the live video stream of the summit, also announced by this publication. Many who saw the eTN announcement in Hawaii were up at 2:00 am in the morning to listen in.

A loyal group of fans of the former president was in for a big disappointment when without prior warning the video live stream was stopped during the president’s address.

The feedback eTN received from people in the audience listening to Obama’s conversation was not really great. The money spent by WTTC to get some advice from the most popular head of state was disappointing.

There was no substance in the presidents’ talk was some feedback. His talk about his love for hiking when he was young was not relevant to the needs top executives were hoping to hear.

The challenges, needs of the second largest industry was not mentioned. There was no word about equality and dangers LGBT tourists face in countries like Brunei.

Mr. Obama talked about the advice he gave to his daughters: “Be kind, be useful.”

After the microphones and cameras were turned on again moderator Nick Ross praised Obama as the most popular president in generations, saying “lack of power reveals.”

President Obama arrived in Seville at midnight before the event and spent the night at Hotel Alfonso XIII, drawing attention from local residents and the press. In 2016, a scheduled visit by Obama to the Andalusian capital was canceled due to a shooting in Dallas.

He visited Reales Alcázares, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the morning before returning to his hotel.

He left again at 2 pm for Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos, which is hosting the international event on April 3 and 4.

After meeting privately with around 50 summit attendees, Obama delivered his short address to WTTC delegates.

After his speech, Obama was scheduled to meet with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for around 20 minutes inside one of the center’s private rooms. It will be their second one-on-one after their meeting last year in Madrid.

Although this is Obama’s first trip to Seville, he has ties to the city because his daughter Malia lived there for a few months.

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Thank you for flying TAP Air Portugal: Welcome to Tel Aviv

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Israel has about 9 million inhabitants and annually receives more than 4 million visitors. TAP Air Portugal landed its inaugural flight between Lisbon and Israel on time on Sunday night at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv.

With this new route, TAP will offer connecting service from the United States via its Lisbon hub. Like all TAP’s “beyond Portugal” destinations, Tel Aviv qualifies for the airline’s stopover program en route.

TAP’s daily flight leaves Lisbon at 2:20 pm and arrives in Tel Aviv at 9:30 pm. From Tel Aviv, flights depart at 5:05 am, arriving in Lisbon at 9:00 am.

One of Israel’s main tourist attractions is the city of Jerusalem, where one can visit holy sites of various religions. Within walking distance are the Holy Sepulcher (Christian), the Wailing Wall (Jewish) and the Mosque of Al-Aqsa (Muslim).

But Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Nazareth, Tiberias, Caesarea, Haifa, the Dead Sea region, and in the Palestinian part, Bethlehem and Jericho, among other points, also have many attractions.

The Portugal Stopover comprises a network of more than 150 partners who provide exclusive offers for Stopover customers for hotels discounts and complimentary experiences such as tuk-tuk tours, visits to museums, dolphin watching in the River Sado and food tastings – even a free bottle of Portuguese wine in participating restaurants.

Travelers can also enjoy a stopover in Lisbon or Porto even if their final destination is in Portugal, such as: Faro (Algarve); Ponta Delgada or Terceira (the Azores); and, Funchal or Porto Santo (Madeira).

Furthermore, Stopover passengers can also create a multi-destination journey, making it will be possible to travel to one destination and return from another. For example, people may choose to fly to Barcelona then return from Seville, but they will still qualify for a stopover in Lisbon or Porto on either their outbound or return travel. Stopover visits are now also available on just one-way travel to Europe or Africa.

TAP will receive 37 new aircraft by the end of this year — and 71 by 2025 — thus becoming the operator of one of the most modern fleets in the world. This renewal and growth of the fleet has allowed TAP to announce new routes and more frequencies. From the United States, new service from San Francisco, Washington DC, and Chicago start in June. TAP has also announced new routes including Naples, Tenerife, Dublin, Basel and Conakry for 2019.

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IATA announces judges for Diversity and Inclusion Awards

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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the members of the independent judging panel for the IATA Diversity and Inclusion Awards as:

  • Angela Gittens, Director General, Airports Council International
  • Gloria Guevara, President and CEO, World Travel and Tourism Council
  • Mark Pilling, Vice President Publishing and Conferences, FlightGlobal
  • Karen Walker, Editor-in-Chief, Air Transport World

“We are honored to have such a renowned and diverse panel of experts as judges for the IATA Diversity and Inclusion Awards. Our aim is to inspire greater diversity and inclusion across the aviation industry by recognizing role models and company initiatives that are driving critical change,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

IATA also announced the following important changes for nominations:

  • Eligibility: The Young High Flyer Award will be extended to nominations for women under the age of 40 (previously 30). This is to better accommodate the contributions made as nominees develop their careers and networks within the industry.
  • Deadline: The deadline for all nominations will be extended to 6 PM Central European Time, Monday, April 15. This will ensure ample time for any new nominations as a result of the category criteria adjustments.

Sponsored by Qatar Airways, the IATA Diversity and Inclusion Awards will honor excellence demonstrated in the categories of: (1) Inspirational Role Model, (2) Young High Flyer and (3) Diversity and Inclusion Team. The first awards will be presented at the conclusion of the 75th IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit to be held in Seoul, South Korea (1-3 June 2019).

For more information on the Awards visit the webpage.

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