THE PRESIDENT IS PRESENTED WITH THE PUBLICATION "SPLENDOURS OF MALTA"

The President of Malta, Prof Guido de Marco, received this morning the Minister for Tourism Dr. Michael Refalo, the Director of the Paris Office of the Malta Tourism Authority Mr. Dominic Micallef, and the Chairman of the French publishing house Citadel et Mazenod, M. Fran'?ois de Waresquiel, accompanied by French journalists. During this meeting, M. de Waresquiel presented a copy of the book "Splendours of Malta" to the President. This book, authored by Shirley Johnston, is published by Citadel et Mazenod. The photography for this publication is the work of the late Marquis Anthony Cassar de Sain.

President de Marco thanked the publishers for the book. The President spoke of the impact of French culture on Malta, mainly as a result of the period of the Order of Malta. He pointed out that our country has so much beauty and heritage to offer to the tourist seeking a cultural destination. The President said that tourism was one of the best ways in which the peoples of different countries come closer and understand each other better. The political relations between France and Malta were also underlined by the President, referring to the recent visit to Paris by Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami, during which he met Prime Minister Lionel Jospin and called on President Jacques Chirac.

The Minister for Tourism, Dr. Michael Refalo, spoke of tourism from the French market. The increased flights from France by Air Malta, said Minister Refalo, have contributed to what he described as a bumper season in tourism from France. He said that the first three months of this year saw an increase of 24% in French tourists when compared to the same period last year.

The Director of the Paris Office of the Malta Tourism Authority, Mr. Dominic Micallef, said that this project was started by the Authority. He said that the English version is due to be published later on this year by Rizzoli Editors of New York.