100th Cruise Liner for 1999 in Port

M.V. Sunbird which is owned by AIRTOURS whose agents in Malta are Thomas Smith Company Ltd, is the 100^th cruise liner to call at the Valletta Harbour since January of 1999.

The Cruise liner entered the Grand Harbour at 08.00hrs today the 30^th June and is due to leave at 17.00 hrs.

During its stay the 1486 passengers on board will be shown interesting places in Malta, mainly a cultural tour to Mosta, Rabat and Mdina and a panoramic drive around Malta. The Sunbird is alternating with the Sundream of the same group and has been calling to Malta every two weeks since 2^nd of June of this year and its last call is expected to be at the end of October. The Sundream started calling on the 13^th May and is due to make her last call on the 20^th of October of this year.

During the month of June, 31 cruise liners called at the Valletta harbour bringing around 24,250 passengers, whereas last year 22 cruise liners had called with a total of 16,460 passengers.

Between January and June of this year, therefore, 100 cruise liners as compared to 81 in 1998, called, registering an increase of 23.5% on the figures of last year, bringing with them 70,780 tourists, which also shows an increase of 18% on 1998.