Joe Borg to take over Gozo Channel

Valletta, 28/06/05 - Maurice Zarb Adami has asked the Minister for Investment, Industry and Information Technology, not to re-appoint him chairman of the Gozo Channel Company after his term of office expires on 5 July.

Zarb Adami cut company costs by Lm200,000 a year and introduced core changes in the operation of the organisation, making it more efficient and commercially viable.

Joseph Borg, meanwhile, has been appointed chairman of Gozo Channel. His term of office starts on 6 July and ends on 5 July 2007.

Borg, 45, served as a director of F X Borg Furniture in 1984 and has been its managing director since 1986.

He also served as a director of the Malta Development Corporation from 1989 to 1992. He was involved in the Gozo Committee of the Malta Federation of Industries from 1988 to 1992 as its secretary and then as its chairman from 1992 to 1993. He sat on the Council of the Malta Federation of Industries.

Borg has been a director of Bank of Valletta since 1998. He has also been a member of the council and secretary of the Gozo Business Chamber since 1999.

He also serves in a number of voluntary organisations in Gozo including the Oasi Foundation (Foundation for Drug Rehabilitation).

More chiefs appointed at Air Malta

Luqa, 27/06/05 - Air Malta has just promoted two more staffers to chief officer (COs) status, they join six other chief officers who, together with the chief operating officer, will be working under the chief executive officer.

The newly appointed COs are Capt Lawrence Gatt, who has been named chief officer flight operations and engineering and Dr Joseph Farrugia, who has been appointed chief officer ground operations. Both report to chief operating officer Joe Cappello. Gatt is responsible for engineering services, operations support and flight operations. Farrugia runs ground handling services as well as passenger and cargo services.

Commenting on the appointments, Air Malta's chairman Lawrence Zammit said "the lengthy process we started some 18 months ago has finally been concluded. We are now in a position to provide strategic direction and leadership at divisional level".

CHOICE kids rewarded

Marsascala, 24/06/5 - The Malta Tourism Authority's executive chairman, Romwald Lungaro Mifsud distributed prizes to school students who participated in an educational programme organised by the MTA called CHOICE at Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija.

This year's first prize, a trip sponsored by Corinthia Hotels International and Air Malta, was won by Marie Claire Mula, Lucienne Zammit and Leanne Galea from the Convent of the Sacred Heart, with their project entitled Spongebob says: "Come to my restaurant, anyone over 10 years not allowed!"

The second prize, a weekend break sponsored by Corinthia Hotels International, was awarded to Anabel Bonavia and Stephanie Galea, also from the Convent of the Sacred Heart. Their project was called Moonlight Gondola - Dine in a unique romantic atmosphere touring the Maltese shores. Thea Aquilina, Silvana Camilleri and Clarisse Frendo from Maria Regina School won the third prize, which consisted of a set of limited edition books, with their project entitled Malta - The Heart of the Mediterranean.

The objective of this programme is to raise awareness and promote careers in the tourism industry amongst secondary school students.

CHOICE has been running since 2001, with a total of more than 9,000 students benefiting from the programme. Feedback received by students, parents and teachers has been very positive. This year, students from each of the 30 schools participating in the programme, one of which was in Gozo, were invited to take part in a competition through the submission of a tourism-related project.

The MTA intends to organise another CHOICE programme - in collaboration with various hotels, restaurants and travel agencies - during the next scholastic year.

Zammit Tabona elected RCA Med delegate

Mdina, 22/06/05 - Justin Zammit Tabona, managing director of The Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux, has been elected main delegate heading the newly formed Mediterranean Division of the Relais & Chateaux Association.

The Xara Palace has been an associate member of the chain since 2000. The Relais & Chateaux is a unique collection of upscale properties and fine dining restaurants offering luxury.

The role of the Relais & Châteaux Association is to further the cultural and economic stature of its hotels and restaurants around the world by collectively promoting its members whilst recognizing their heritage and the “soul and spirit” of Relais & Châteaux. Its 440 members in 50 countries on five continents make up this association.

The Mediterranean Delegation consists of 12 properties in Malta, Greece, Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Morocco.

Zammit Tabona is also president of the Malta Hotels & Restaurants Association.

Malta-Reggio frequency inaugurated

Luqa, 16/06/05 - Air Malta operated its first flight to Reggio Calabria in southern Italy on Tuesday morning. The mayor of Reggio, Giuseppe Scopelliti, was present to greet the flight, passengers and crew. Air Malta's chief operating officer Dominic Attard, who was amongst the passengers and was representing the airline, presented Scopelliti with a gift to mark the occasion.

The region's authorities and the Calabrian media, who turned up at the airport and gave extensive coverage to Air Malta's new service, welcomed the arrival of the first KM flight. In a short speech Scopelliti thanked the airline for introducing this service that "will definitely enhance tourism opportunities between Reggio and Malta". He also expressed a desire to see further cooperation between the Comune of Reggio Calabria and Air Malta.

MTA completes its countryside walks series

Valletta, 16/06/05 - The Malta Tourism Authority has released the final two, in a series of eight, countryside walk booklets. The two new books cover a Ramla Bay and the saltpans.

"This has been done to encourage a greater sense of appreciation of the Maltese environment, as well as a means of introducing the islands' hidden natural beauty to visitors", says MTA director for product planning and development Mario Attard.

Apart from these two new booklets, the series comprises walks around localities in Malta and Gozo such as Bahrija, Dwejra, Girgenti, Marfa, Ta' Gurdan, Dahlet Qorrot, Ramla Bay and Qbajjar.

The booklets are available in most souvenir and bookshops at Lm1.00 each. Five of the eight booklets have been translated into German.

IHG appoint Golden Sands management team

Salina, 13/06/05 - The management team that will run the new Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort & Spa, scheduled to open in August, has been appointed.

The team chosen includes nine line managers, headed by general manager Raphael Cauchi and is composed of qualified professionals with experience in the hospitality industry. Half of the management team has been promoted from other Island Hotels Group properties - owners of the Golden Sands - while another five have been recruited from outside the group.

General manager Raphael Cauchi says: "We are looking forward to the challenge of working as one team to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the opening of the new resort. In so doing we will be opening a new chapter in the success story of Island Hotels Group in Malta."

Corinthia fires up summer '05

St Julian's, 11/06/05 - With the countdown already started for the official start of summer on 21 June, the fjakkoli illuminated lido of the five star Corinthia San Gorg Hotel provided a perfect setting for the four Corinthia properties in Malta to launch their Fire Up Your Summer programme of fun and food activities for this year to members of the media and travel trade.

As in previous years, Corinthia, with some 30 food and beverage venues spread around the island, is well set to ensure that the public is more than adequately served by traditional and also some more innovative activities this summer. All time outdoor favourites like the Frejgatina fish restaurant (opening 17 June), Henry J Bean's terrace and Da Marina restaurant at the Corinthia San Gorg and Marina Resort, the popular Pizza, Pasta e Basta at the Corinthia Palace and the lively Nautico Bar and Grill at the Corinthia Jerma Palace, will all still be wooing the crowds with enhanced menus and dishes.

New introductions this year include an 'illy' coffee garden, Amazonian themed poolside barbecues and an al fresco Orange Grove Bistro extension at the Corinthia Palace Hotel, and differently themed Touch 'n Taste weekly barbecues at the Fra Martino restaurant of the Corinthia San Gorg Hotel. The Corinthia Jerma Palace Hotel is also holding an open weekend from Friday 17 June, when the public can experience at first hand what the four star hotel is preparing for the coming months and also participate in a number of happy hours and prize winning events.

Media members attending the launch at the San Gorg Lido last night were able to sample some of the Fire Up Your Summer fare the public can expect from different foodstalls set around the pool. Other stands included those of Mr James International hairdressers and Myoka Beauty and Health Centres, both of whom supported the event. Corinthia's animation team also set up a special children's corner.

Details on Corinthia's summer activities may be obtained from each hotel.

MTA staffers enjoy team-building

Valletta, 02/06/05 - All Malta Tourism Authority staffers participated in a full-day team-building event at Savio College in Dingli, on 27 May.

The event, which was co-ordinated by the MTA's Social Activities Committee, consisted of a number of events, including one in which the staff was divided into six teams and asked to prepare an advert for the Maltese islands in a few minutes.

The afternoon was devoted to sports such as football and volleyball, as well as a countryside walk in Dingli that ended with a visit to Verdala Castle.

The team-building day was a success and all staff members involved agreed that the event "helped to foster team spirit and camaraderie amongst colleagues in the various departments of the authority".

Air Malta CEO to leave

Luqa, 01/06/05 - Air Malta chief executive Ernst Funk will leave the company by the end of the year. He joined Air Malta on 15 October 2002 after 41 years with Swissair.

The press release announcing Funk’s departure did not provide any reasons why he is leaving the airline. When Island Travel Trader Online asked Air Malta whether Funk had resigned or had been dismissed, a spokesman at KM told us Air Malta had "no further comment to add to the media release". Meanwhile, there is no doubt as to how Funk views his tenure of the CEO’s post.

When the so-called rescue plan to save the loss-making flag carrier was launched last year Funk said his mission was to ‘re-invent and save’ Air Malta. And in a note of thanks to KM staff and politicians, Funk said he was grateful to those who supported him in his “tireless efforts” to turn Air Malta around.

Maltese chefs win gold

Mosta 27/05/05 - Maltese chefs from the Malta Cookery and Food Association, which is affiliated to the World Association of Cooks' Society, participated at the World Culinary Grand Prix at Scothot 2005 in Scotland and won a gold medal.

The Maltese team was led by Joseph Vella from Hilton Malta and included Ronnie Caruana, also from the Hilton, Paul Borg from the Barceló Riviera Resort & Spa, Joe Xuereb and Sandra Spiteri from the Corinthia San Gorg Hotel and Ian Micallef from the InterContinental Malta. Andrea Bonaci from the Hilton assisted the team.

The chefs prepared a three-course lunch for 85 people and achieved an average score of 96 per cent. Malta competed against 12 teams from around the world, including Germany, Great Britain and Canada.

The World Culinary Grand Prix is one of six global competitions accredited by the World Association of Cooks' Societies and is organised in conjunction with the Federation of Chefs Scotland.

Neuro Linguistic Programming for Barceló Riviera staffers

Marfa, 27/05/05 - Fourteen senior and middle managers at the Barceló Riviera Resort & Spa participated in an intensive, week-long programme conducted by Larissa Redaelli of New Training Dynamics.

The workshop titled Achieving Excellence in Customer Service using NLP - Neuro Linguistic Programming - is based on managing internal and external customer relationships.

Other topics covered included achieving excellence in communication, successful planning and strategic selling techniques. All participants were presented with certificates by during a presentation held at the resort.

New GM at Kempinski San Lawrenz...

San Lawrenz, 23/05/05 - Alejandro Bernabé has been appointed general manager of the five star Kempinski San Lawrenz Resort & Spa.

Bernabé, a Spanish national, studied economics in Madrid and Massachusetts and was trained in hotel management at the Hotel Institute in Montreux, Switzerland. He joined Kempinski in 1998 and has held several management positions since. He worked as food and beverage manager at the Grand Hotel Europe in St Petersburg, managed by Kempinski at the time, before becoming director of food and beverage at Kempinski's flagship in Istanbul, the Çiragan Palace Hotel. The next assignment was at the Kempinski Resort Hotel Estepona on the Costa del Sol, where Bernabé was resident manager of the property.

The Kempinski San Lawrenz Resort & Spa, which is currently undergoing a renovation and extension programme, will reopen this summer with 122 rooms and suites. A third outdoor pool is being added and the banqueting facilities are also being extended.

...And at the Hilton Malta

Portomaso, 23/05/05 - Clement Hassid is the new general manager at the Hilton Malta. He replaces Friedrich Schafer who has been posted to Dublin, Eire.

Island Caterers awarded Villa Bologna F&B management

Mosta, 23/05/05 - Island Caterers' portfolio has been increased by another venue ideal for weddings and any other type of social function. A contract has been signed between the de Trafford family and Island Caterers for Villa Bologna in Attard.

Villa Bologna, owned by the de Traffords, is one of the finest 18th Century country houses on the islands.

With the addition of Villa Bologna, Island Caterers has consolidated its position as a leader in the event catering industry offering 23 venues on an exclusive basis, all of which are fully equipped to cater for any type of function.

Established in 1992, Island Caterers is the catering arm of the Island Hotels Group. So far, the company has catered at more than 12,000 events and fed more than 2.5 million people. Events catered for include state dinners, banquets of more than 1,800 people, small private parties in people's homes and numerous corporate events.

Neville Azzopardi voted best barman again

Mosta, 23/05/05 - the Bar Tenders Guild of Malta presented this year’s Bar Tender Award to Neville Azzopardi, bars manager at the Bugibba Holiday Complex.

Azzopardi started working with the Island Hotels Group as bar tender at the Coastline Hotel in 1994 and was eventually promoted to assistant head barman. He was then promoted to bars manager at the Bugibba Holiday Complex.

Commenting on his achievement, Max Gatt, general manager of the Bugibba Holiday Complex said: "Neville has always showed a passion for his profession. He has always worked hard and with determination to be the best performer. Last year he placed first in the World Cocktail Competition, which was held at Las Vegas. This is another great achievement for Neville and an honour for the Island Hotels Group".

Lungaro-Mifsud takes over MTA helm

Romwald Lungaro-Mifsud was appointed executive chairman of the Malta Tourism Authority and assumed the chair on 1 April, the day after Chris Grech’s tenure expired.

In announcing this appointment tourism and culture minister Dr Francis Zammit Dimech said Lungaro-Mifsud’s appointment coincides with “the start of the implementation phase of MTA’s restructuring. This...process is part of the government’s drive and commitment to improve Malta’s tourism performance”.

Lungaro-Mifsud’s experience and leadership skills, Zammit Dimech added, will be invaluable assets in assisting the MTA achieve its objectives.

Lungaro-Mifsud started work in 1966 as a laboratory assistant with Phoenix Textile Industries and was appointed assistant quality control manager in 1967 and quality control manager the following year. In 1972 he was promoted to assistant floor manager. In 1973 he joined the family business - Wyndham Hotel Co as manager of Wyndham's Restaurant.

In 1976 Lungaro-Mifsud joined the Corinthia Group and was based at the Mistra Village Clubhotel as publicity officer; the following year he was appointed purchasing, retail and security manager. In 1982 he became food and beverage manager and PR manager five years later. Appointed sales and PR manager in 1994. Transferred to the Corinthia San Gorg in 1996 as sales manager. In January 1998 appointed the group’s head office where he held senior positions in sales and marketing.

New sales team at Riu Seabank

Sandro Debono, erstwhile sales and marketing manager at the four star Riu Seabank Hotel in Mellieha, has a new job in the Netherlands.

Trixie van der Kooi, meantime, has been appointed sales and marketing manager at the Seabank. She has worked at the hotel since early 2004 and has several years of experience in the tourism industry.

Another addition to the sales and marketing team is Karl Abela, who is responsible for the Seabank's advertising.

New PR at InterConti

Nicola Busuttil, 34, has joined the InterContinental Malta as the five star hotel's public relations executive.

Busuttil worked at Le Meridien Phoenicia and the Mandarin Oriental in London before joining the five star InterContinental in St George's Bay.

Radisson chefs win seven medals

In the recent Mediterranean Culinary Championships held at the Eden Arena, Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort chefs Chris Zammit and Kevin Vella achieved outstanding results.

Chef de partie Chris Zammit was awarded three gold medals in the Best Overall Statics category and Works in Pastillage. Commis chef Kevin Vella won one gold medal in Works in Fat, one silver medal in Plated Maltese Sweets and two bronze medals in Works in Fat.

San Lawrenz voted Europe's leading resort

The five star Kempinski San Lawrenz Resort & Spa has won the Europe's Leading Spa Resort award at the 11th annual World Travel Awards held in Barbados.

Voting was cast by travel agents from more than 200 countries. Over 400,000 travel agents cast their votes and 2.5 million individual category votes were registered online.

This is the world's most comprehensive travel award ceremony, with trophies awarded in all areas of the industry.

"This is the best kind of endorsement that any hotel would be proud to receive", a spokesman for the Gozo-based hotel said.

Air Malta appoints general managers

"Following an extensive process, I am pleased to announce the appointment of 13 general managers who will constitute part of the second tier of the organisational structure of Air Malta. These general managers, have all been recruited from within the company, and will be working under the direction of their respective chief officers. This is the second step in aligning Air Malta's structure to reflect the realities of today" said Ernst Funk, Air Malta's CEO.

The new general managers are: Paul Paris, general manager industry affairs, reports to chief officer international and legal affairs.

Joseph Bugeja, general manager network and fleet assets, Tonio Farrugia, general manager business planning and Brian Tortell, general manager marketing and PR who report to chief officer Strategic Planning.

Anthony Tanti, general manager revenue accounting and Martin Azzopardi, general manager fuel and insurance, who report to chief officer finance.

Stephanie Farrugia, general manager information systems and Michael Buttigieg, general manager corporate services, who report to chief officer human resources and corporate services.

Capt Joe Agius, general manager flight operations and Andrew Costa, general manager operations support, report to chief officer operations and maintenance.

Joe Cauchi, general manager passenger sales, Aldo Borg, general manager pricing, revenue and capacity management and Mark Camilleri, general manager charters, report to chief officer commercial.

New bar at Bay Point

The Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort has opened a new bar in the lobby.

Ritter's Lobby Bar - named after Kurt Ritter, who is president and CEO of Rezidor SAS Hospitality - opened following guest research which indicated that such a facility was needed.

Ritter's Lobby Bar is open daily from 07:00 serving a selection of pastries, snacks, herbal teas, coffees and cocktails.