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People & Events archive 2008 - January/June • July/December |
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July/December 2008 |
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InterConti rewards top performers St Julian’s, 30/11/08 – The InterContinental Malta recently held its annual award ceremony for its key clients, honouring top producers for the business they booked and generated at the hotel in 2008. Prizes were given to the top three destination management companies, responsible for the booking and handling groups and conferences this year, namely Alliance Group, I&C Management and Events Travel and Incentives respectively. The top three local corporate companies reserving rooms for individual corporate clients were Lufthansa Technik Malta, Medserv and Inso (Malta), whereas Holiday Malta, Frosch Touristik and TUI Aeolos were the top three accounts from the wholesale and leisure market. Alex Incorvaja, director of sales and marketing, emphasised their significant role in contributing towards the success achieved in these crucial segments and thanked them for their support throughout the year. Prizes were presented by general manager, Marco Frik and included accommodation and flights to various destinations. The top producer in each segment was awarded a five-night stay at the InterContinental Dubai and flights by Emirates. Flights to other European destinations were sponsored by Air Malta with accommodation at InterContinental hotels. New shops open at airport terminal Luqa, 27/11/08 - The expansion project at Malta International Airport is on target and rapidly taking shape. A new convenience outlet has just opened in the Arrivals Hall. Eight till Late is a conglomerate of retail services intended to cater for last minute and late night requirements. The open-plan establishment spread over 280 square metres comprises a pharmacy, perfumery and skincare, florist, stationery, toy shop, grocery, bottle shop, confectionery, newsagent and bookshop, as well as travel. This latest MIA concession is being run by Quality Catering and Retail Services and is open from 07:30 to 22:00 daily. The cafeteria - previously located where Eight till Late now is - has moved, and now has exterior access that allows some seating and a smoking area. More eateries are planned at MIA’s new Food Court on the minus one level. These additional facilities follow the recently opened Classicoptical that sells jewellery, diamonds, watches and spectacles on the revamped foyer area of the terminal. Still to open here are a travel agency, a fashion shop and a travel goods outlet. Msida, 27/11/08 - ChooseMalta.com, the online travel portal, has moved to new offices in Msida to house its growing operation. The company is now located in Suite 2, Mompalao Building, Tower Road, Msida. Its phone and fax numbers remain unchanged. Having established itself as one of Malta’s leading booking website, with customers originating from 85 countries translating to more than 12,000 bookings this year, the ChooseToTravel.com portfolio of sites is generating close to 200,000 unique visits per month and is set to increase with the release of new destinations by the end of the year, says co-founder Jonathan Shaw. St Julian’s, 19/11/08 - The Malta Chefs Society (MCS) - founded today - is the result of a merger between the Malta Cookery and Food Association and the Malta Culinary Association. Both associations were founded by Tony Theuma, the former in 1986 and the latter in 1993. In recent years, however, it was becoming increasingly clear that having two associations, with practically the same aims and objectives, was proving to be counter-productive. Consequently, it was agreed to amalgamate them. After its first and inaugural annual general meeting, slated for January 2009, the MCS will be organising educational as well as social events and participate at international cooking challenges. In February, and on the local front, the society will be organising the Mediterranean Food Festival at the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre. Another major event will be the Malta International Cookery and Culinary Arts Championships next November. The Westin Dragonara Resort launches in-room spa experience St Julian’s, 13/11/08 - The Westin Dragonara Resort has introduced an in-room spa service. The programme focuses on creating an appropriate atmosphere in the guest room before treatments begin "to achieve a true spa experience". This is done with the delivery of a spa basket containing a flower, a dark chocolate filled with antioxidants, a bottle of water and a letter addressed to the guest with recommendations on how to relax and get the most out of their experience. Each guest will also be given the opportunity to listen to "custom heavenly spa music before their treatment to help them unwind and bring a feeling of serenity into the space". The Westin claims that by "creating the appropriate atmosphere in the room prior to the treatment is essential to achieving the same relaxation one might achieve in the spa. We focus on elevating the senses prior to, during, and after the treatment. “We designed our new in-room spa experience to appeal to the growing segment of travellers who expect uncompromised luxury, but may prefer the comfort and privacy of their room over a communal spa”, says Sue Brush, senior vice president of Westin Hotels & Resorts. “This programme is also ideal for business travellers, who often have a small window of time for relaxation and pampering. The custom in-room spa service joins a host of initiatives aimed at personal renewal recently introduced by the company”. Luqa, 06/11/08 - Malta International Airport has set up a new infrastructure providing high speed wireless broadband internet throughout the terminal. The technology allows free WiFi access for mobiles, laptops and pdas. The concept is to offer internet connectivity supported by non-obtrusive advertisements in video and audio formats. For consumers the service is very easy to use. All one needs to do is to connect to the WiFi signal from their mobile phones or laptops and accept to view one of the sponsors' brief adverts before accessing the internet free. Le Méridien St Julians Hotel wins quality award St Julian’s, 17/10/08 - The five star Le Méridien St Julians has been awarded the Quality and Brand Service Award for the Italy and central Mediterranean region within Starwood Hotels and Resorts at the recently held annual divisional conference. “This was a great surprise and a wonderful achievement for such a young and dynamic team. We take much pride in guest satisfaction and maintaining our Le Méridien brand standards”, said hotel manager Angela Saliba on receiving the award. Meantime, Malcolm Azzopardi - former general manager of the Juliani Hotel - has joined the Méridien St Julians as director of sales. Camilleri Kamsky appointed Westin Dragonara GM St Julian’s, 17/10/08 - Michael Camilleri Kamsky has been appointed general manager of the Westin Dragonara Resort. He was previously hotel manager. Camilleri Kamsky began his career with Starwood Hotels and Resorts ? owners of the Westin brand - as director of sales and marketing at the Westin Dragonara in 2003. He was named hotel manager in 2007. New York, 17/10/08 - Egypt will host the Africa Travel Association's 34th annual congress in Cairo from 17 to 22 May 2009. Egypt’s tourism minister, Zoheir Garranah, and Edward Bergman, Africa Travel Association (ATA) executive director, made the announcement jointly. “It is with great pride that we are now working with ATA to welcome the world to Egypt for ATA’s annual congress”, said Garranah. “We look forward to welcoming the world to our country”. Under the banner of Connecting Destination Africa, ATA’s hallmark event will be attended by African tourism ministers, national tourism board directors, private sector leaders, travel agents, tour operators, heads of nongovernmental organisations, scholars, and members of the media, who will discuss together challenges related to global tourism promotion to Africa. “ATA is looking forward to engaging with the world’s leading travel specialists to bring the world to Africa”, Bergman said. “By combining Egypt’s unique capacity to achieve record numbers in tourist arrivals with ATA’s ability to bring diverse industry leaders together to shape Africa’s tourism agenda, this meeting holds tremendous promise for change in the industry and the global marketplace’. The congress, to be held at the Cairo International Conference Centre, will run for five days, engaging participants in working discussions on a range of topics, such as intra-African industry cooperation, infrastructure development and investment opportunities. Round tables for ministers, suppliers, travel agents and tour operators, alongside special networking events, a marketplace expo and ATA Young Professionals events will also be held. Valletta, 16/10/08 - Following the success of the first seminar on Creative Thinking to Address HR Challenges in Tourism which was held on at the end of September, the Industry Human Resources Development Unit at the MTA is organising another seminar for local tourism and hospitality operators. This second seminar will address the issue of Developing Innovative Services in Tourism and it will be held on 29 October at the Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort in St Julian’s. Francesca Balzan, who is the curator of the Palazzo Falson Historic House Museum in Mdina, will address the seminar. Balzan will take the museum as a model and will show how it is possible to keep a business active by introducing innovative services and adopting a range of exciting concepts to keep clients interested and returning. Keynote speaker Frederik Leloup, founder and managing director of Sailing Team and CEO of the Carbon Challenge Academy will convince stakeholders to think outside the box to produce an innovative Maltese tourism product. Leloup will support his ideas with two company specific case studies. This seminar is targeted at business owners, development managers or supervisors who are responsible for tourist establishments or other tourism-related support services, from both large and small businesses. To attend the seminar, contact Stephanie Rocco on 22915125 or e-mail training@visitmalta.com. The next seminar in this series of will be held on 28 November, and will focus on Marketing Tourism Products and Services Creatively. CHI appoint Maltese regional VP Floriana, 13/10/08 - CHI Hotels and Resorts (CHI) have appointed Maltese national Salvinu Farrell as regional vice president for all its operations in Africa and the Middle East, reporting directly to company CEO and managing director Tony Potter. Farrell will be based in Tunisia and will be fully involved in the development function to extend CHI’s presence in Africa and the Middle East. He has a strong track record, suited to operate and oversee the region, having held senior management positions in Libya and the Gambia. Commenting on his new role Farrell said he was “honoured to have been chosen as CHI's first vice president for Africa and the Middle East, as these regions are becoming increasingly important to all hotel groups and in particular to CHI. I have been working in Africa for the past 10 years and this appointment comes at a time when my experience and understanding of local issues will be very helpful to CHI as we seek to face the immediate challenges posed by the current global economic climate. I will also be looking for opportunities to expand CHI Hotels and Resorts' portfolio of hotels in these areas”. InterConti raises €4,000 for conservation St Julian’s, 08/10/08 – The InterContinental Malta is supporting the national heritage agency, Heritage Malta, by participating in the Hotel Heritage Scheme launched by the HSBC’s Cares for Malta’s Heritage Fund. Over the summer months more than €4,000 were raised for the conservation and preservation of the megalithic temple of Hagar Qim. Guests staying at the InterContinental are encouraged to make a contribution of one euro per room per night to be added to their hotel bill. This donation, deposited into an HSBC account, assists the funding of the conservation project at Hagar Qim. UNESCO classes Hagar Qim and other prehistoric temples in Malta as world heritage sites. “Responsible tourism means doing our bit to put something back for the preservation of sites that we have enjoyed, for future generations to enjoy them too. Being a world heritage site, Hagar Qim belongs to each one of us, wherever in the world we come from. We are honoured to be given the opportunity to co-sponsor such an important site and to be a team player in contributing towards the conservation and enhancement of Malta's great history and heritage. This is in line with the InterContinental Hotel Group’s corporate social responsibility, which is of utmost importance to us”, said Marco Frik (left), general manager of the InterContinental Malta. Luciano Mulé Stagno (pictured centre with Sharon Inglott of HSBC), CEO of Heritage Malta, thanked Frik for the hotel’s cooperation and for participating at such initiatives and said: “Heritage Malta is reaching out for active synergies with various entities to help in the continuous effort of supervising, preserving, understanding better and ultimately marketing Malta’s historic sites. We encourage such collaborative efforts in order to implement across a wide range of conservation and interpretation ventures”. KM handling staff learns German Luqa, 07/10/08 - As part of its policy to provide ongoing professional training for its employees, Air Malta has organised a German language course for staff working at the airline's passenger handling section. The course, organised with the assistance of the German-Maltese Circle, was conducted over four months and was given by Marianne Azzopardi and Ritienne Curmi from the German-Maltese Circle. A certificate was awarded to the participants by Circle's president, Ingrid Kidder. Coleiro appointed two-time fellow Birkirkara, 07/10/08 - Tony Coleiro, CEO of Birkirkara-based Travel-Malta Group, has been elected fellow of the Association of Tourism and Hospitality Executives and of the Institute of Travel and Tourism. The Association of Tourism and Hospitality Executives was formed as a "not for profit" company in 2006 and is an association of training centres who provide accredited courses throughout the world either by attendance at a centre or by distance learning directly in the UK. Inaugurated in 1956, meantime, the Institute of Travel and Tourism seeks to develop and maintain professional standards throughout the travel industry for the benefit of its members. Both organisations are looking at the possibility of opening chapters in Malta. Valletta, 06/10/08 - The Industry Human Resource Development Unit (IHRD) at the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) is launching the Choice programme. Now in its eighth year, it is initiated to coincide with the start of the scholastic year. Choice is designed to give information and expose third, fourth and fifth year students to careers in the tourism industry, showing that the industry can be a source of gainful and rewarding employment. The overview presented helps students formulate a knowledgeable opinion of the industry. The Choice programme in the last scholastic year attracted 40 private, public and church secondary schools. To date around 20,000 students have taken part in the programme. Students from each of the schools in Malta and Gozo participating in the programme are also encouraged to take part in a competition by submitting a tourism related project. The programme is held in collaboration with the Institute of Tourism Studies and the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association. Luqa, 06/10/08 - This year administration employees and the management of Malta International Airport have supported the Jeans for Genes campaign by going to work in jeans and making sizeable donations to aid children suffering from genetic disorders. Jeans for Genes is a campaign organised by four major charities in the UK. The fund-raising event is held annually across the UK on 3 October. This year, 18 charities will benefit from the money raised by Jeans for Genes Day 2008. Malta agents for NCL declared top seller in continental Europe Valletta, 03/10/08 - Cruises International of Valletta, agents for NCL, have been given an award for being top 2008 sellers for Norwegian Cruise Line in continental Europe. The award was presented at a ceremony on board the Norwegian Jade. EUTO calls for greater environmental awareness Mosta, 01/10/08 - During its annual conference, held at the end of September in Nottingham and London, the president of the European Union of Tourist Officers (EUTO), Liz Buchanan, said: "We must ensure that all initiatives and projects for tourism today comply with effective and efficient policies for a cleaner and less damaging environment". Buchanan continued: "In October 2006, EUTO issued the Malta Statement following its conference and study visit to the Mediterranean islands, within that statement we referred to the environment when we stated that we encourage initiatives to protect the environment, on which so much of our product depends, for this and future generations. Today, we reiterate that statement and we ask all European member states to provide the necessary infrastructure and culture to support". Tourism and the environment are two subjects that should be complementary and important to any person responsible for developing policies and strategies that focus on sustainable development today. For the past five years the EUTO, founded in 1975, has organised conferences and study visits, whose central focus has been sustainable tourism. The EUTO fosters networking between tourism professionals in both the public and private sectors either at a national, regional or local level. The organization looks to make Europe a better destination for visitors. Cordina to join Unconventional Malta Naxxar, 30/09/08 - Clive Cordina has been appointed director of sales at Unconventional Malta. "Clive will combine his energy and sales expertise with our experience and powerful operational team. This will give Unconventional Malta the resources to increase its sales reach", says Fiona Captur, managing director. Cordina starts work at Naxxar-based Unconventional Malta on 1 October. On 1 September, meantime, Unconventional Malta joined the Euromic partnership of destination management companies in Europe and the Mediterranean basin. Membership of Euromic is recognized in the industry as a leading quality indicator. Westin Dragonara donates €3,000 to UNICEF St Julian's, 24/09/08 - The Westin Dragonara Resort donated €3,000 to UNICEF. All Starwood properties around the world collect funds from various campaigns to support the various projects carried out by UNICEF. A fund raising barbecue was held on 28 August at the Westin Reef Club. Around 200 guest joined Westin staffers in supporting this cause were €3,000 was raised. The funds collected will go towards UNICEF's water and sanitation projects. British Airways supports Maltese artist Valletta, 18/09/08 - British Airways is supporting Maltese artist Madeleine Gera in her exhibition titled Identity, currently on at the Auberge d' Italie, home of the Malta Tourism Authority, in Valletta. "It is a great pleasure for British Airways to support local talent, especially in art, culture and sports, and to develop a close collaborations with leading local artists such as Madeleine and others. As a global airline, we're proud to connect people, places and cultures. Since 1984, British Airways has always supported local communities around the world. We believe that it is our duty to engage ourselves proactively to assist local artists in developing their full potential" said James Stagno Navarra, British Airways commercial manager in Malta. MTA organises creative thinking seminars Valletta, 16/09/08 - The Malta Tourism Authority has scheduled the first of three innovation seminars on Creative thinking to address HR challenges in tourism for 25 September at the Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort. The seminar will serve to exchange information and provide insight in tackling personnel challenges faced by tourism and hospitality operators. Keynote speaker Enda Larkin, author of Ready to Lead? Prepare to think and act like a successful leader, will address the seminar; participants will gain insights into current best practices in employee engagement which they can apply to their own businesses. "Great employees are at the heart of any great business in hospitality and tourism and you cannot have loyal, satisfied customers without loyal, satisfied employees. Employee engagement has therefore emerged as one of the major challenges facing owners, managers and HR professionals today", says Larkin. Marie Louise Agius, head of diversity, learning and development at HSBC Malta, will present a company specific case study on how the bank has implemented a diversity Policy. This event is targeted at owners and managers (middle to top management) who are responsible for tourist establishments or tourism related support services, from both large and small businesses, as well as personnel managers or persons responsible for human resources in their companies. Those wishing to attend should contact the MTA's Nicola Borg Costanzi on 22915125 or email training@visitmalta.com. The other two seminars planned include Creative thinking to develop innovative products in tourism - scheduled for October - and Marketing tourism products and services creatively, slated for November. Sultana to manage MIA's customer services Luqa, 10/09/08 - After 14 years involvement in public relations and communications at Malta International Airport, Simon Sultana has been appointed manager responsible for customer services at MIA. Vittoriosa, 02/09/08 - Food lovers users may now participate and vote for their favourite eatery in the Definitive(ly) Good Guide to Restaurants in Malta and Gozo annual restaurant survey. Support of one's favourite restaurants will help to improve Malta's restaurant infrastructure by guiding locals and tourists to the good restaurants and, therefore, help improve their business. For the month of September one can participate either online at www.restaurantsmalta.com or on the paper version. Out of an incredible 1,000 plus restaurants on the islands one's top survey rated 150 restaurants will be included in the guide. Editor Lisa Grech says of the restaurant survey: "throughout the year we receive many complaints about restaurants - everyone has a bad restaurant experience to report - this annual survey gives food lovers the chance to do something about it by voting for their favourite restaurants and sending in comments about their experiences over the last year. "Your input will help to improve restaurant standards as the results of the survey published in the guide are designed to promote only the well rated restaurants on the islands. Furthermore, your vote will ultimately influence which restaurants will receive the prestigious restaurants awards at our annual gala dinner on 8 December". Anyone wishing to receive the survey can request one by sending in their name and address to info@restaurantsmalta.com or calling on 21802383. Prague, 27/08/08 - CHI Hotels and Resort - formerly Corinthia Hotels International - recently held its annual international financial controllers conference at the five star Corinthia Hotel Prague in the Czech Republic. Directors of finance and senior executives from the company's head office in Malta and hotels attended the three-day event that had Bridging the Difference as its theme. The conference was addressed by CHI chairman Joe Sita and the company's chief executive officer and managing director Tony Potter, who gave details on the CHI's vision and growth plans. A number of topics of general interest and others of specific interest to finance personnel were presented by various speakers, led by CHI's chief financial officer and administration director Paul Bugeja. Prompted by the title Bridging the Difference the conference discussed CHI's new role as a multi-brand hotel operator following its joint venture agreement with the US-based Wyndham Hotel Group and how this development impacts the financial protocol, policies and procedures of the company. Besides continuing to operate the luxury Corinthia Hotels brand worldwide, CHI is now also the exclusive operator of the Wyndham and Ramada Plaza brands in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. CHI Hotels appoint sales and marketing VP Floriana, 27/08/08 - Glenn Carroll (left) has been appointed senior vice president for sales and marketing for CHI Hotels and Resorts. He is expected to take up his new post in October. This appointment follows the reorganisation of the company's sales and marketing structure some 12 months ago. Carroll will report to CEO and managing director of Malta-based hotel operator CHI Hotels and Resorts Tony Potter, while all of the senior sales and marketing team will report directly to him. In addition to controlling all sales and marketing and branding activity, Carroll will be joining the senior team of CHI with the overall responsibility of developing the company's strategy as it extends its portfolio of hotels under the Corinthia, Wyndham and Ramada brands. Glenn Carroll will be based in Hammersmith, London, in the Wyndham Hotels Group's international offices, where he will establish a CHI Hotels and Resorts presence following the joint venture agreement between the two companies. Carroll's background includes almost 20 years experience in senior sales and marketing positions with Expotel, Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts, Millennium and Copthorne Hotels, Park Plaza Hotels and more recently as group sales and marketing director for Como Hotels and Resorts and vice president sales and marketing Europe for Oberoi Hotels and Resorts. Carroll is a British citizen and has a masters degree in marketing and a post graduate diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing. He is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a member of the Luxury Marketing Council in the UK. Westin Dragonara Resort manager receives award St Julian's, 22/08/08 - Mariola Matyszkiewicz has received the Starwood President's Award 2007 for her outstanding leadership skills and techniques in the front office department. The award was presented by the hotel manager Michael Camilleri Kamsky on behalf of Roland Vos, president of Starwood Hotels and Resorts for Europe, Africa and Middle East division. The criteria of this award is based on a number of factors: quality of the guest experience, focus on employee satisfaction, morale and staff development and general contributions to hotel and staff activities. The candidate should also genuinely demonstrate outstanding management capabilities in order to be eligible for this award. Matyszkiewicz joined the Westin Dragonara in May 2005. She is now training Manager at the resort. Luqa, 12/08/08 - As from October new requirements come into force for travel to the United Kingdom. Trusted Borders, appointed by the British Home Office to manage the e-borders programme, has requested all airlines to provide passenger and crew information of all flights entering the UK. The data to be passed to the agency will include each passenger's name and surname, travel document type, document number, expiry date, issuing country, gender, date of birth, nationality and airline reservation details. This information, which the airline will gather at the time of reservation, will be passed to Trusted Borders 30 minutes before the departure of every flight. All flights will have to await for permission from the UK agency for the aircraft to leave Malta. Passengers that refuse to give this information will not be allowed to travel to the UK, an Air Malta press release states. The regulations are applicable to all passengers irrespective of nationality. Westin appoint financial controller St Julian's, 08/08/08 - The Westin Dragonara Resort has appointed Malcolm Jones as its financial controller. Jones previously worked for Deloitte and Touche and the Alpine Group. Qawra, 01/08/08 - Mario Debattista has been appointed general manager of the four star Suncrest Hotel, replacing Philippe Lonfat. Debattista brings with him a wealth of experience, having worked for 30 years for Corinthia Hotels International. During his time with the Corinthia Group, he held various executive positions and was also assigned to manage other hotels abroad. For the last five years he was general manager of the Corinthia Jerma Palace and later the Corinthia San Gorg and Marina. 'Tourism needs debate and collective action' - MTS Mosta, 23/07/08 - At its recent annual general meeting, Malta Tourism Society president Julian Zarb highlighted developments over the past two years in strengthening the international networks which the society had been building since its formation in 2002. The affiliation with the European Union of Tourism Officers (EUTO) has meant that a total of 15 members of the association have benefited from a EU-funded exchange study visit and conference to member states such as Iceland, Estonia and Latvia since 2005. In 2006 the Malta Tourism Society hosted the study visit in Malta; a total of 70 delegates experienced the importance of history and heritage for any sustainable tourism policy or strategy. The objective of the study visits and conferences organised by EUTO are to encourage the promulgation of best practice in any such strategies or policies throughout the European Union. "What we need today in developing a greater awareness of the tourism industry in Malta and Gozo", said Zarb during the AGM, "is a better sense of debate and effective collective action". The Malta Tourism Society will be organising a series of monthly activities on various topics aimed at the general public and "focussing on the interactive element of debate and collective action to get things done". Meantime, the elected members of the committee for 2008 and 2009 are: Julian Zarb, Emanuel Falzon, Janet Grech, Juliana Lungaro Mifsud, John Vella and Tonio Ellul. Luke Sammut was elected to the Malta Tourism Society committee as the representative of the Tourism Students' Association. EC executives taught team building St Julian's, 23/07/08 - Executives from English language school EC recently participated at a workshop on building winning teams. The two-day event was held in New York and led by "teamwork guru" Patrick Lencioni. The event gave chief executive Andrew Mangion, COO Michael Xuereb, CFO David Bonnet, director of sales and marketing Catrin Diamantino and Joe Dimech, head of personnel, "a unique opportunity to partake in in-depth interactive workshops, geared towards long term business success through better teamwork, camaraderie and organisation". EC, a Maltese owned group of language schools, operates centres in the UK, the US, South Africa and locally. Air Malta supports the hospice movement Luqa, 23/07/08 - Air Malta recently donated €6,300 to the Malta Hospice Movement. This money, collected from the airline's customers aboard its flights, will continue to assist the movement in offering free palliative care services. The donation forms part of the airline's activities and initiatives to commemorate its 35th anniversary and was presented by Joe Fava, Air Malta's section head flight services to Antoinette Shah, Malta Hospice Movement's general manager. Speaking during a short presentation Fava said, "Air Malta and its employees have always been at the forefront of humanitarian and philanthropic assistance. On this occasion we particularly thank our passengers who year after year continue to show their support towards organisations such as the Malta Hospice Movement that directly help people in need. Special thanks go to our cabin crew who have collected the money during flights and to Airest Malta, Air Malta's catering provider. We are proud of our assistance to this non-profit, voluntary organisation. Through our 'committed to the community' initiative the airline has over the years donated thousands of euros to organisations that assist various sectors of the Maltese society." Commenting during the presentation Shah said, "donations give us hope and encourage us to continue in our mission to assist those needing a helping hand. The Malta Hospice Movement continuously strives to raise awareness of the needs of the organisation, as it could not operate without the help of the public. Today we are caring for more than 650 patients who come from all walks of life. We are delighted that Air Malta and Airest Malta assisted us in this campaign. This donation by Air Malta customers will give us a good boost to help us in our constant efforts to improve the lives of our patients and their families". Westin Dragonara Resort celebrates 11th anniversary St Julian's, 19/07/08 - The Westin Dragonara Resort has just celebrated its 11th anniversary since it opened on 21 June 1997. The Dragonara was the first Westin-branded property in Europe. KM pens promo deal with Portsmouth Portsmouth, 12/07/08 - Air Malta and the 2008 English FA Cup winners Portsmouth FC have concluded a two-year commercial agreement. The deal sees Air Malta becoming the official airline partner of Portsmouth, and both organisations working together on various joint marketing projects. The two organisations have agreed to drive together a variety of co-marketing and advertising opportunities both during the Barclays Premier League matches of Portsmouth and also during the club's games in the FA, UEFA and league cups. The activities include LED perimeter advertising at the club's Fratton Park stadium, advertising on backdrops during Portsmouth interviews, advertising in the match day programme, websites links and promotions, brand marketing and on a host of other marketing communications systems. Air Malta’s general manager marketing and product, Brian Bartolo, and Bruce Vandenberg, COO of Portsmouth FC, signed the agreement. Commenting on this agreement Air Malta CEO Joe Cappello said: "We are enthusiastic to have concluded this commercial agreement with Portsmouth which is a first for a Maltese organisation. The excellent results achieved on our UK routes during these last months have given us the drive to strengthen the airline's presence in the UK. Through this agreement Air Malta will be getting global TV coverage through the extensive exposure that the UK's Barclays Premier League has around the world. This agreement shows the initiative that Air Malta is willing to take to promote Malta abroad and to increase tourism arrivals to Malta. It is also a clear commitment to Malta and the islands' promotion overseas as the agreement's main objectives is to advertise Malta and Air Malta throughout the UK". Peter Storrie, chief executive of Portsmouth FC said: "We are delighted to welcome Air Malta as our new official flight partner. They are one of the most highly respected airlines in the world and, like Portsmouth, have a rich history, something of which we are both extremely proud. The relationship will enable us to tap into marketing opportunities and grow our brand globally through the routes that Air Malta serves, while also allowing them to gain exposure through our continued success in both European and domestic competitions". Valletta, 11/07/08 - The CHOICE programme - organised by the Malta Tourism Authority's industry human resources development unit in collaboration with the Institute of Tourism Studies and the Tourism Studies Association - this year involved more than 6,000 secondary school students. The programme targets students in all secondary schools, and aims to raise awareness of the travel industry and tourism related career opportunities. To date, this programme has reached more than 16,000 students. Even though this programme is not compulsory, this year 40 out of 60 schools chose to hold the CHOICE programme at their premises, while 48 chose to participate in the programme at the Institute of Tourism Studies. This year's edition of the programme closed with the awarding of prizes and certificates to those students who participated in the project competition. A Form 4 student from the Sir Temi Zammit School in Mtarfa, Steven Vella, won the first prize of an educational trip to the Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal in Budapest sponsored by Corinthia Hotels and Air Malta. His project, called Live Mgarr - feast your senses! - was chosen as the best. Vella envisaged a full-day festival in his hometown, with different events like bread making and honey tasting, classic car rallies and entertainment and meticulously worked through all the details, including posters for each event. He mapped out a treasure hunt - complete with engraved prize - and designed DVD covers and CDs as mementos. The young man, worked with his teacher Ritienne Buhagiar, preparing a three-language brochure, formal invitations for five star hotels, and even printed ballpoint pens and hand painted glassware to give out or sell as souvenirs. Vella also got a DJ friend to prepare a short radio advert. "We were most impressed by the initiative shown by this teenager. He used every type of medium available. He also roped in people in the village; borrowing flags from the council offices and preparing a lavish stand covered in local produce. Although the idea of a festival is not in itself new, his approach towards the interactivity of the day was very fresh", the judges said. The second prize, a weekend break at the Corinthia San Gorg Hotel, also sponsored by Corinthia Hotels, was awarded to Mattea Galea, Lydia Grixti and Sephora Santucci from the Convent of the Sacred Heart for the project titled the Maltese archipelago - as sweet as honey. Whilst the third prize, consisting of a set of books on Malta, was awarded to Francesca Cachia Zammit, Theresa Fenech and Jessica Millo from St Dorothy's Convent School for the project named Stepping stones through Malta's history. The CHOICE programme is organised in collaboration with various hotels, restaurants and travel agencies in Malta and Gozo, and will be organised once again during the next scholastic year. For more information, contact the Malta Tourism Authority's industry human resources development unit on telephone number 22915122/4 or email choice@visitmalta.com. Enhanced services at MIA for PRMs Luqa, 01/07/08 - Malta International Airport has introduced an enhanced service for disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility (PRMs) that ensures a seamless passage through the terminal to the aircraft and similarly on return. The airport operator has introduced a number of call points for assistance to PRMs at the car park level, at the check-in area, as well as at the arrivals halls in the Schengen and non-Schengen areas. Priority seating is also available in the check-in area and at all departure gates. The call points are connected directly to MIA's customer service centre. The new service includes meeting the PRMs at any of the designated call points and assisting them along from the check-in area up to the departure gates and thereafter to the aircraft as well as vice versa on arrival. The respective passenger handling service provider will now be responsible for such assistance throughout. To this end MIA has also invested heavily on special training and first aid certification for the ground handling service providers' staff of Air Malta and GlobeGround that were selected following an EU-wide call for tenders. MIA is charging all departing passengers €0.46 to offset the additional costs associated with the provision of these services to PRMs. This spreads the expense, thus reducing costs for the airlines that previously incurred the entire charge, claims MIA. Luqa, 01/07/08 - Malta International Airport has joined the Red Cross Society of Malta as corporate members. MIA CEO Julian Jaeger presented a sponsorship cheque to Prof Frederick Fenech, president of the Red Cross Society, that should assist towards the voluntary services that are increasingly in demand. Jaeger said that this support is in line with MIA's commitment to assist and contribute towards voluntary organisations that play an important role in the day to day life of Maltese society, particularly the less fortunate. "We are proud to support the Red Cross Society in Malta because we believe in its essential role amongst the Maltese in general and we trust that our contribution will help to instil more determination and commitment amongst its volunteers". Luqa, 01/07/08 - Malta International Airport plc has restructured its departments to cater for the expansion of its core business and daily operations. The restructuring "is called for in order to meet the exigencies that will come about with imminent growth". The retail areas have been modified to further increase business activity in the non-aviation sector. This salient sector has warranted the creation of the non-aviation services department. Mario Psaila-Savona has been appointed head of this department with the responsibility to oversee and develop all business activity in this field. He has been employed with MIA since 1999 as manager in the business development department. To ensure the projected growth in passenger and airline activity, Alan Borg has been appointed head of airline marketing with the additional responsibility of further developing the VIP services at MIA. Borg graduated in hotel operations from the Institute of Tourism Studies and joined MIA after serving with the Island Hotels Group where he was sales manager for the Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort and the Golden Sands Resort and Spa. At MIA he was first employed as manager in the airline marketing department and was involved in securing new airline operations from the Scandinavian, Spanish as well as other European destinations. Furthermore, Austin Calleja's contract has been renewed. He remains chief finance officer and executive director and now has the added responsibility for the meteorological services department, the networks department, purchasing and Sky Parks Ltd, the recently established subsidiary company of MIA which has taken over the operations of the car parks at the airport. |
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