For Immediate Release | Official News Wire for the Travel Industry

Where press releases are breaking news

The Valletta NYE celebrations are back, featuring The Travellers and many more live in concert

by

Featuring The Travellers and many more live in concert

One of the most anticipated events of the calendar, the Valletta National New Year’s Eve Celebrations, are back to usher in the New Year in the capital city.

The celebrations will once again take place in St. George’s Square with the main stage hosting leading names from the island. The night will kickstart with local band Ozzy Lino and the Candy Moths, followed by top local artists Kevin Paul, Gaia and Kurt Calleja. THE TRAVELLERS will be headlining the event with their unique and original sound.

The event will be hosted by Nate, Frank and Rossi from Vibe FM who will also be taking the audience into the countdown with a mash-up of the best dance anthems of 2019 together with stage special effects and fireworks to welcome the New Year. Finally, up and coming DJ DREY will be ending the night with an energetic and uplifting set.

Valletta Cultural Agency Chairman Jason Micallef said that “the New Year’s Eve celebrations are part of a vast program planned by the VCA for the festive period in Valletta. Last week we switched on the Christmas lights in the capital’s main streets, switched on a real Christmas tree in St George’s Square for the first time, and a Nativity Scene in Piazza de Valette, among other initiatives for the festive season in the Capital”.

Valletta Mayor Alfred Zammit said that “this is one of the Local Council’s favorite activities because it gives the opportunity to Maltese families to enjoy Christmas and the New Year in the communal spirit in Valletta without spending much”. He said that “Valletta should be the natural choice of those who would like to have fun this New Year’s Eve.”

This event is being organized by G7 events following a call for Cultural Partnership Agreements by the Valletta Cultural Agency within the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government. The Valletta Local Council shall also be collaborating with the organizers of the event.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Valletta Cultural Agency Contact

Tele: (+356) 2124 2018

Email: [email protected]

MTA US Editorial Contact

The Bradford Group

Amanda Benedetto/ Gabriela Reyes

Tel: (212) 447-0027

Fax: (212) 725 8253

E-mail: [email protected]

Gabriela Reyes

Account Manager 

The Bradford Group

347 Fifth Ave. Suite 1205

New York, New York 10016

T (212) 447-0027

F (212) 725-8253

[email protected]

www.bradfordglobalmarketing.com

Experience the “Most Magical Time of the Year” in Malta with Festivals, Fireworks and Culinary Delights

by

Festivals, Fireworks and Culinary Delights

As the Holiday season approaches, one of the best things about spending time in Malta and its sister island of Gozo is being able to observe and experience some of the excitement of the Maltese national traditions as well as the culinary delights. Malta, the archipelago in the Mediterranean, with its year-round mild weather, offers visitors a perfect place to end the year and ring in a new one. 

Maltese Christmas Markets

  • Villa Rundle – December 1st – 23rd visitors can explore the beautifully decorated stalls offering seasonal artisan treats. 
  • Christmas Village at Valletta Waterfront– Dec 1st-27th enjoy Valletta as it turns into a picture-perfect Christmas Village. Visitors can indulge in free activities along the promenade, including; bands, choirs, cribs, food and a myriad of activities for younger Maltese visitors. 
  • Natalis Notabilis– December 11th- 15th visitors can enjoy Rabat which is transformed into a  winter wonderland with over 80 stalls and historic buildings will also be hosting Christmas related activities to enjoy during the 5-day event.

Visiting Cribs 

When visiting Malta during the Christmas season visitors will see nativity scenes or cribs on every street corner. Cribs are an important and popular part of the Maltese tradition during Christmas. Presepju or cribs in Malta differ from traditional nativity scenes. Maltese cribs include Mary, Joseph, and Jesus with a landscape that portrays Malta often rocky stones, Maltese flour, windmills, and ancient ruins.  

Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem – December 2nd – Jan 5th visitors can explore the customs and folklore at this Maltese crib. 

Festive Light

Visitors of the capital city of Valletta, the 2018 European Capital of Culture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, can admire the unique, colorful and spectacular Christmas lights. Republic Street and adjacent side streets are given a festive makeover with colorful light designs. The festive lights are switched on during a ceremony by the Minister of Culture.

The Malta International Christmas Choir Festival

Visitors can hear the angelic sounds of the holiday season at the Malta International Christmas Choir Festival which takes place between December 5th-9th. Guests will enjoy a number of choirs participating in the festival, ranging from male, female, youth, and gospel to folk choirs.

Manoel Theatre Pantomime 

Every year, a spectacular pantomime is staged at the marvelous Manoel Theatre in Valletta. This year, visitors can enjoy The Little Mermaid, from December 22nd to January 5th, a holiday tradition for Maltese adults and children. 

St.John’s Co-Cathedral

The iconic St. John’s C0-Cathedral in Valletta is worth visiting at any time of year. However, during the Christmas season is an especially exciting time to visit. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, the church hosts a series of candlelit carol concerts and processions which are guaranteed to get visitors in the festive spirit.

Maltese Traditional Holiday Food 

With Malta celebrating 2020 being the year of gastronomy. Food plays a big part in the holiday season in Malta. Today the traditional Maltese Christmas menu includes turkey/pork, potatoes, vegetables, cakes, puddings, and mince pies. 

A real specialty is the Maltese Christmas Log, a lovely combination of crushed biscuits, condensed milk and a number of different festive ingredients.

New Year’s Eve Malta Style – Fireworks!

Valletta Waterfront

Visitors can end the year in style and welcome in the New Year at the Valletta Waterfront. Valletta itself, Malta’s Capital and the 2018 European Capital of Culture, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Valletta’s romantic waterfront lined by restaurants with exquisite cuisine is the place to welcome the New Year with a glass of champagne in hand.  Travelers can ring in 2020 with a myriad of New Year’s Eve festivities featuring live bands, children’s entertainment and fireworks and confetti display at the stroke of midnight. Visitors can experience all of this with the breathtaking view of the Grand Harbour as the backdrop. Once the New Year begins a DJ will lead the festivities with various classics and popular hits.

For further information on the Holiday season and destination Malta, please see visitmalta.com 

About Malta

The sunny islands of Malta, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, are home to a most remarkable concentration of intact built heritage, including the highest density of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in any nation-state anywhere. Valletta built by the proud Knights of St. John is one of the UNESCO sites and was the European Capital of Culture for 2018. Malta’s patrimony in stone ranges from the oldest free-standing stone architecture in the world, to one of the British Empire’s most formidable defensive systems, and includes a rich mix of domestic, religious and military architecture from the ancient, medieval and early modern periods. With superbly sunny weather, attractive beaches, a thriving nightlife and 7,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do.

Experience the “Most Magical Time of the Year” in Malta
Live Christmas crib
Experience the “Most Magical Time of the Year” in Malta
New Year’s Eve fireworks in Grand Harbour

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Malta Tourism Authority North America

Michelle Buttigieg

Tel: (212) 213-0944

E-mail: [email protected]

MTA US Editorial Contact

The Bradford Group

Amanda Benedetto/ Gabriela Reyes

Tel: (212) 447-0027

Fax: (212) 725 8253

E-mail: [email protected]

MSC Meraviglia to bring 50,000 cruise passengers to Ocho Rios

by

Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says Ocho Rios is gearing up to welcome 50,000 cruise ship passengers courtesy of the cruise line, MSC Meraviglia.

MSC Cruise, an over 300 year old company, entered the cruise business in 1988 and is now the world’s largest privately-owned cruise line and brand market leader in Europe, South America and Southern Africa. 

Speaking at the welcome reception for the ship’s inaugural visit to Ocho Rios today, Minister Bartlett said, “With the additional call of the MSC Meraviglia, which holds 7200 passengers and crew, Jamaica’s cruise tourism is expected to end the year in a very strong position.

More importantly, this addition will see Ocho Rios welcoming 50,000 cruise ship passengers with 10 calls from now until April next year.”

The Meraviglia, which is a sophisticated combination of state of the art technology, design, comfort and practicality, joins Seaside, Divina and Armonia which have been visiting Ocho Rios and Falmouth.

“Jamaica’s cruise tourism will see a boost in arrivals and earnings in the next couple of years with more calls to all ports and the inclusion of Port Royal to the itinerary.

Within the context of reimagining the island’s tourism, we are now looking at cruise tourism specifically as to how we can build out more infrastructure and experiences to attract more visitors and retain more of the cruise dollar,” added Minister Bartlett.

Ocho Rios was just awarded the Caribbean’s leading cruise port at the World Travel Awards in Oman and recently won the Hospitality award for the best resort town.

For the period January to October 2019, Ocho Rios has seen an 11.9 percent increase in calls and 2.6 percent in passenger arrivals, representing a passenger count of 450,000. Ocho Rios is also expected to see a 4% increase in passenger arrivals by the end of the year, making it the number one port for visitors and calls in the island.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, Fax: 920-4944

29th International Book Fair opens in Abu Dhabi

by

Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is playing host to the 29th edition of Abu Dhabi International Book Fair that kicked off on Wednesday with more than 500,000 titles on display.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of the UAE Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan inaugurated the event, according to the state-run WAM news agency.

He emphasized the importance of the fair in supporting the UAE’s status in the publishing industry, being one of the most important book fairs in the region that attracts Arab and international publishers.

Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi, the fair features more than 1,000 exhibitors from 50 countries.

Running until April 30, the fair also includes several daily events for visitors such as seminars, workshops, author signings and entertainment activities.

With India as the event’s guest of honour, at least 30 Indian publishing companies are taking part.

This year’s book fair also sees the introduction of three new interactive zones: the E-Zone, Comic Corner and the Entertainment Zone.

Each of the three zones features unique experiences for learning, innovation and entertainment.

Travel News | eTurboNews

Puerto Rico Tourism: Out with the old, in with the new

by

“Since our inception last July, we hit the ground running to accelerate the tourism economy,” said Brad Dean, CEO of Discover Puerto Rico. “This brand campaign follows a strong publicity effort that set up Puerto Rico as the top place to visit in 2019 and a recently revamped website, DiscoverPuertoRico.com.

“The creative highlights our two strongest assets – our culture and our people – and will help us strengthen traveler’s familiarity with what makes our Island one-of-a-kind.”  The campaign officially launches today across digital channels via digital banners, social, pre-roll and a follow-up TV spot that will launch in coming weeks in key markets. Additional marketing support is expected throughout the rest of 2019, to attract visitors to the Island during the summer travel season.”

Discover Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico’s newly-established Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), announced today the rollout of Puerto Rico’s brand campaign called “Have We Met Yet?” which draws inspiration from Puerto Rico’s cultural and natural offerings and at its essence, focuses on the hospitable and welcoming nature of its people. By posing the question “Have We Met Yet?” the creative re-introduces the Island to the world and brings to life the exotic yet familiar essence of Puerto Rico. As the U.S. mainland’s “neighbor to the south,” the new campaign showcases through Puerto Rico’s iconic doors how the Island welcomes visitors with open arms.

Following extensive research that showed that Puerto Rico’s brand identity was neutral in the minds of travelers, this new campaign is this next phase of Discover Puerto Rico’s brand repositioning process, enabling the Island to fully capitalize on its rich tourism product offerings and emerge as a leading Caribbean destination. The creative repositions the island as that neighbor that one dreams of – with the festive flair, the ocean view, the incredible art collection, the delicious food. Puerto Rico is the neighbor you’ll laugh with, celebrate with, and maybe even fall in love with.

“Puerto Rico’s people, its rich culture and unparalleled natural offerings, combined with the fact that it’s a U.S. territory and easily accessible, were key factors that led to this creative. We’re excited to debut this brand campaign as it opens the door, literally, to endless possibilities that showcase the spirit of the Puerto Rican people and everything the Island has to offer,” said Leah Chandler, CMO of Discover Puerto Rico.

Travelers exposed to the new brand campaign will be immediately drawn by the colorful vibrant doors and stunning imagery found throughout the Island. The creative highlights many aspects that make Puerto Rico a unique destination—ranging from its people, its cuisine, its festive spirit, its natural attractions, and much more.

“The campaign invites travelers to visit Puerto Rico and meet us, the neighbor that you can’t live without,” said Chandler. “Puerto Rico was named the #1 Place to Visit in 2019 by the New York Times and has topped over 20 other notable lists of places to visit this year,” she added. “We want to send a message to all travelers that this is THE year to visit Puerto Rico. The entire island is eager to welcome them.”

The creative was ideated and produced by Beautiful Destinations, with support from local production crews who traveled throughout the Island to capture the beautiful scenery, thousands of colorful doors, and welcoming faces of the Puerto Rican people.

To view the “Have We Met Yet?” creative online, visit YouTube.com/DiscoverPuertoRico and be on the lookout for additional campaign creative coming soon.

Travel News | eTurboNews