World-famous tenor Andrea Bocelli has released a new cover of Gerry & The Pacemakers classic You’ll Never Walk Alone with a music video shot entirely in Malta.

The dimly lit halls of the historic MCC set the ambiance for an emotional performance by Bocelli before the environment shifts to the iconic Upper Barrakka Gardens with a breathtaking backdrop of the Grand Harbour.

The world-renowned musician has a strong affinity for Malta, which produced its own tenor, Joseph Calleja, and even welcomed the new year with a spectacular 50-minute performance on Maltese TV.
The 50-minute set included eight songs across two iconic locations across the island – Fort St Elmo and St John’s Co-Cathedral. The decision to perform eight songs was in tribute to the eight-point cross of the Knights of St John.

Read the full article: https://lovinmalta.com/lifestyle/music/andrea-bocellis-latest-music-video-features-stunning-shots-of-maltas-historical-sites/?fbclid=IwAR1qfzKwRQUr9XJsHtsdKxru9xhAEhNWe2PO2Bsvsw-wGE9jsSPjJytph-4

The Malta Tourism Authority is committed to support tourism operators to confirm M.I.C.E. business to the Maltese Islands. This scheme is targeted to incentivise foreign corporate clients and associations to choose Malta and Gozo for their M.I.C.E. events in 2021 & 2022.

The M.I.C.E. segment is a very important component of Malta’s tourism industry. It is known to generate a higher than average spend per tourist and important tourism traffic in the shoulder months. The Malta Tourism Authority is committed to continue investing in this segment of industry in it’s recovery and long term sustainability. This scheme is being launched with this objective.

Applications can be submitted directly by the corporate client, Professional Conference Organizer, licensed Destination Management Companies (DMCs), Hotels and Audio-visual companies for tourism travel specifically for M.I.C.E (i.e. meetings, incentives, conference, and exhibitions) activity.

Support
A contribution will be granted towards each international delegate /registered attendee effectively travelling to attend or participate in a meeting, incentive, conference, or exhibition happening in Malta and Gozo in 2021/2022.

• M.I.C.E. events showing that a minimum of €800 is spent in the Maltese Islands per delegate are entitled to a contribution of €150 per attendee travelling from overseas.
• M.I.C.E. events showing that a minimum of €600 is spent in the Maltese Islands per delegate are entitled to a contribution of €75 per attendee travelling from overseas.

Application
Support under this scheme is subject to approval and is awarded at the sole discretion of the Malta Tourism Authority.

Applications can be submitted online on www.bit.ly/micescheme

Terms & Conditions
Any event can be supported one time only.
Applications will be handled on a first come first served basis.
Support is only payable post event.
Group size should not be less than 10 persons with a minimum stay of 2 nights in Malta or Gozo.
M.I.C.E. event program must showcase the destination in the best possible manner. Quality of service and product must always be ensured.
M.I.C.E. event spend in the Maltese Islands that can be submitted as proof of expenditure per delegate may include costs related to hotel accommodation, ground transportation, dining, excursions, team building activities, event production and logistics. International flights or other means of travel to and from the Maltese Islands are not eligible to be included in the calculation of expenditure per delegate.

Download The M.I.C.E Business Scheme Document here: https://www.mta.com.mt/en/news-details/295

Malta retains its coveted title as the safest country in Europe for the second time.

According to the 2019 Global Wealth Migration Review, published by the New World Health, Malta ranked second globally and first in Europe.

Several criteria determined the outcome of the report. A few include; wealth growth, economic growth, press freedom and women’s safety. The study focused on the movements of the wealthiest men and women.

Among other European countries, Malta maintained its status as a safe country, while cities such as London and Paris saw a decline over the past few years.

The Top 5 Safest Countries in the World for Women

1. Australia
2. Malta
3. Iceland
4. New Zealand
5. Canada

As stated in the report, “Woman safety is one of the best ways to gauge a country’s long-term growth potential, with a correlation of over 90% between historic wealth growth and woman safety levels. This means that wealth growth is boosted by strong levels of woman safety in a country.”

Another report, which was published in 2018, identified Malta as the second safest country in the world. The World Risk Report was published by the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security. In terms of its susceptibility to and ability to deal with natural disasters, Malta came in just second after Qatar.

Lower down the list of 173 nations, island nations such as the Philippines, the Solomon Islands, Guyana, Tonga and Vanuatu were among the last in the rankings. This means that they are the least equipped to deal with natural disasters.

At the top of the list, Qatar was rated with a 0.36 percent chance of surviving a natural disaster, Malta closely followed with 0.57%. In terms of the lower ranking countries, Tonga encounters 29.42% and Vanuatu a more substantial risk of 50.28%.

The two nations which led the ranking, Qatar and Malta, may credit their low rates to their low exposure to earthquakes, floods and rising sea levels. In the event that such tragedies should occur, the infrastructure of both Qatar and Malta would be able to sufficiently manage the crisis.

Four categories which can define the basis on how risk is determined are:

1. Awareness of approaching natural hazards such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, droughts and rising sea levels.
2. Infrastructure vulnerability in terms of food, housing and economy.
3. Management strength in terms of governance, meaning lack of early warning systems, medical care and security.
4. The countries adaptive systems to future natural events and climate change.

In the latest edition of the World Risk Report, special attention was paid to the safety of children amidst such crises. It has come to light, that during natural disasters children are at a higher risk of physical injury and death.

Katrin Radtke, scientific director of the Global Risk Report stated: “of the 15 countries with the highest risk, nine are island nations.”

What can be learnt from this report, is that preparation is key in managing extreme natural disasters, with regards to both the outset and the aftermath.

Malta grants the possibility of relocation through its residence and citizenship programmes allowing you to enjoy Malta’s lifestyle as well as its security.

Read the full article: https://theisland.mt/business/malta-the-2nd-safest-country-in-the-world-safest-country-in-europe/?fbclid=IwAR3V796lNlbYWHBy3wOug_aopIrbUsiUmicjaAHDj4nTadamyF0RLYaATyw%20Cristina%20Galea%20|%20Colours%20of%20Malta

Malta’s Tourism Recovery Plan will seek to attract tourism activity to Malta, with a funding injection worth €20 million for the industry. Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo said that Malta will seek to attract as many tourists as possible to help contribute to recovery.

One aspect of the plan involves attracting free independent travellers (FITs). These are travellers who plan their own trips and opt to travel alone or in small groups, as opposed to mass tourism strategies that rely on large groups and travel packages.

Bartolo pointed out that the schemes will not only target FITs, with further schemes to be announced over the next few weeks.

Regarding use the Digital Green Certificate, the minister reassured that it won’t lead to discrimination between those who have received the vaccine and those who fall further behind in the vaccination queue.

“The Green Certificate won’t be the only way someone can travel – you can use negative PCR tests taken hours before travelling. These appear to be the two favourite options at EU level and for Malta, with discussions with the Superintendent of Public Health confirming this,” he said.

Read the full article: https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/108693/malta_targets_1_june_for_tourism_recovery_with_plan_to_attract_free_independent_travellers#.YHZ-Ba8zY2x

As the Maltese summer begins to approach, with talks of herd immunity and nation-wide vaccination finally within reach, Signature Entertainment Group took to Facebook to share that the legendary international hospitality brand Buddha Bar is coming to Malta in the form of Buddha-Bar Beach.

With a (so far) undisclosed location, Buddha Bar Beach will welcome ‘colourful recipes, amazing cocktails & hypnotic world sounds’, with the iconic global brand welcoming summer 2021 in the best way possible.

The MICHELIN Guide Malta 2021 has just been released and two restaurants have been awarded a Michelin Star, bringing the total number of Michelin Starred restaurants to five.

The second edition of the guide features 31 restaurants spread across the islands of Malta and Gozo. The two new Stars are Bahia and ION – The Harbour. These restaurants join existing One Star restaurants De Mondion, Noni and Under Grain.

Five restaurants have also been identified as taking positive steps to work in a more sustainable way, and their entries in the Guide come with one-line descriptions of their inspiring practices. The restaurants highlighted for their ‘Initiatives’ are:

The Harbour Club in Valletta
Noni in Valletta
Briju in Gżira
De Mondion in Mdina
Tmun in Mġarr.

This new Guide builds on the success of last year’s first ever edition of the MICHELIN Guide to the islands of Malta and Gozo. There is no doubt that the standard of cooking on the islands continues to excite; five MICHELIN Starred restaurants out of a total of 31 restaurants is an impressive percentage. It’s also great to witness a growing awareness of positive sustainability practices and we look forward to seeing further development in the coming years.

Read the full article:  https://guide.michelin.com/mt/en/article/features/the-michelin-guide-malta-is-out-today

“Once you’ve been through tough times, you can only become stronger.” Alesha Dixon

May the renewal of life at Easter bring new blessings of love, hope, peace, good health and happiness to you and your loved ones.

May you embrace the changes we are facing only with positive energy and bounce back bigger and better.

Colours of Malta wishes you a peaceful Easter.

As of June 1st, Malta will welcome passengers from the UK who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

British travellers who can show proof of full vaccination received at least ten days before arriving in the country will no longer have to provide a negative PCR test certificate 72 hours prior to, or on arrival in Malta.

Passengers will need to show their vaccination card when boarding to be accepted to travel.

Malta is second to the UK in terms of European countries vaccinating the greatest proportion of its population, with 40 per cent of the adult population having received its first dose, making the destination a safe choice for future travel.

Tolene Van Der Merwe, director UK & Ireland of Malta Tourism Authority, commented: “Malta is a very popular destination for British holidaymakers and is a key contributor to Malta’s economy, so we are excited to welcome back fully vaccinated travellers from the United Kingdom from June.

This latest announcement is another example of Malta and the UK’s special, long-standing relationship which dates back to the 1800 when Malta voluntarily became part of the British Empire as a protectorate and in the 20th century Malta was famously favoured by her majesty the Queen, and she spent two years living on the island when the Duke of Edinburgh conducted his work for the Royal Navy and returned for many state visits.

Present day Malta offers world-class diving, a burgeoning gastronomy scene and year-round warm weather.

The islands have an exciting few months in store with a wealth of new restaurant, hotel and spa openings for travellers to enjoy when they can return.

Read the full article: https://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/malta-to-welcome-vaccinated-brits-from-june/

This week we experienced a new world of colour with Stephanie Borg, a vibrant, local self-taught artist, graphic and surface pattern designer. Her professional practice as a graphic designer for over 25 years, both in her native Malta and overseas, has brought about the most beautifully inspired artworks.

Stephanie happily says “I love colour, it’s my inspiration along with beautiful patterns that I have been tracing since my childhood.”

When viewing her collections one can see the inspiration through Malta’s local tiles, colourful wooden doors and wrought iron balconies, amongst others. Her vast collection of creations range from espresso cups to beautiful vases to gorgeous silk scarves, each item created with love and passion.

Stephanie’s gifts are amongst our top picks for corporate gifts, but also the perfect gift for any occasion really.

Well done Stephanie, we can’t wait to see your new collection!