Tourism Minister back from a three day visit to the UK and Sicily

The Minister of Tourism, Mr Karmenu Vella, has just returned from a three day visit to the UK and Sicily. During his visit in the UK, the Minister had talks with the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO). This meeting was also attended by Major Alfred Cassar Reynaud - Chief Executive of NTOM and Mr Jeffrey Cutajar - Director of NTO in London. Representing FTO were, Mr Martin Brackenbury - Chairman; Mr Alan Flook - Secretary and Mr Kieran Tobin - Chief Purchasing Director Airtours. During this meeting the Minister outlined the commitment of Malta to the improvement and development of the product.

Mr Vella also had meetings with the Chairman of the Bland Group, Mr Gaggero and the Managing Director of Cadogan Holidays - Mr Garry David. The Bland Group own and operate GB Airways and are franchisees for British Airways.

The Minister also met the Managing Director of Direct Holidays - Mr Hugh Boyle and had meetings with First Choice, one of the top three Tour Operators in the UK.

During his visit in the UK the Minister was also present for the official opening by the Malta High Commissioner - Mr Richard A. Matrenza of the exhibition Fortress Malta which was held at the National Army Museum in London. This exhibition was organised to mark the centenary of the Victoria Lines by the Med Urbs / Malta Mosta Local Council.

Immediately after ending his commitments in London, Mr Vella left for Sicily where he had several meetings with the respective municipal authorities in Catania and Syracuse. He had meetings with the Hon Umberto Scapagnini - Presidente Commissione Ricerca Parlamento Europeo; Dott Nello Musumeci - Presidente Della Provincia di Catania; L'Assessore Nino Strano e Felice Foresta - Sindaco di Taverna.

The Minister of Tourism, also attended and addressed 350 Sicilian Travel agents at the inauguration of a promotional Malta Night in Syracuse , organised by Virtu Ferries Ltd in collaboration with the National Tourism Organisation of Malta and I Viaggi Marini, a Sicilian Tour Operator. This event commemorated the purchase of a second catamaran, the A.C.C. MARIA DOLORES, by Virtu Ferries, which will recommence in Syracuse operation in conjunction with the existing Licata -Malta and Pozzallo - Malta operations.

Present at the Malta Night were a number of representatives from the local trade as well as from the hotel sector some accompanied by their own chefs invited to prepare samples of Maltese food for the Sicilian guests to savour. The Malta night was not complete however, without the participation of Tony Camilleri, the local song artist, a Casino contingent equipped with a roulette table and a Black Jack table and the Cameo folklore dance group, whose performance brought the guests a truly valuable Malta experience.