Malta’s exciting Risen Christ statue Easter Sunday tradition is still going strong.

A symbol of joy, the run sees a group of men run through the streets carrying a massive statue of the Risen Christ and it is one of Malta’s most beloved Easter traditions.

Several towns took part in the tradition on Sunday. This video, taken by Matthew Farrugia in Senglea, shows a large crowd cheering on a group of runners as they sprint through a street with the statue before raising it high.

Happy Easter everyone!

article credits – Lovin Malta

https://www.facebook.com/LovinMalta/videos/962330915325694 

Talks about the weather are, on most days, a trivial topic and something to pass the conversation on. However, we sometimes tend to forget that the weather plays a crucial part in a variety of industries. The salt harvesting industry is one of these trades in which a hot, sunny day can, quite literally, make a salt farmer’s day.

Alongside her husband, Josephine Xuereb owns around two kilometers of salt pans on the Xwejni Coast. Although it is now just the two of them, with Josephine’s brother helping them from time to time, these salt pans have been around for five whole generations. In fact, Leli tal-Melh is somewhat of an iconic brand in Gozo, especially since it is now also a tourist destination.

‘My grandfather did a lot of work to set up the salt pans that we know today. I am always in awe at what generations before us could do with only their two bare hands. He passed away when my mother was very young, so she needed to work for the family. When she met my father, she taught him all the tricks of the trade’.

Josephine’s father, Leli Cini, was very witty and he knew that, even though the salt trait seemed like it was dying due to emerging work opportunities, the need for salt will never follow suit. He started making himself known by building the brand, and even starting packing salt in plastic bags and selling them to local groceries and Leli tal-Melh was born.

Josephine explains that salt is harvested once a week, roughly between the summer months of mid-May and the beginning of September, weather permitting. Hot and sunny days are the perfect weather for the salt harvesting process while stormy and rainy days disrupt this process, and no salt is collected.

After every harvest, each individual salt pan is manually filled with water through the use of a motor pump from the big pools to the same pans. It is left to dry for about 7 days in which the salt crystals start to form. Salt is swept and gathered and placed into buckets which are then transferred to a flat drying surface to form a big heap of salt. This is covered in cloth and left to dry for about 24 hours. The salt is then ready to be packaged to add a touch of local to your meals.

‘I was born into the industry. My husband and I decided to keep the trade and it is now an attraction for tourists. It is a living heritage nowadays. The beauty of nature keeps me going. The unpredictable weather is our biggest challenge, but I love what I do’.

article credits : Exclusive: The story of Leli tal-Melh, the iconic Xwejni salt pans in Gozo (guidememalta.com)

Between April 20th and 30th, the Malta International Fireworks Festival will once again grace the skies.

This cultural extravaganza promises to light up the Maltese and Gozitan nights with dazzling pyrotechnic displays, adding to the richness of local festivities. Scheduled events include fireworks spectacles in Valletta, Marsaxlokk, Nadur, Mellieha, with a grand finale at the Grand Harbor on the month’s final day.

These details were announced during a press conference by Tourism and Consumer Protection Minister Clayton Bartolo and Malta Tourism Authority CEO Carlo Micallef.

Minister Bartolo stressed the festival’s significance to both locals and visitors, emphasizing its role in showcasing Malta and Gozo’s unique offerings. “The Fireworks Festival isn’t just for tourists; it’s a celebration for Maltese and Gozitan families, highlighting our diverse attractions,” Bartolo added.

MTA CEO Carlo Micallef highlighted the festival’s international promotion, aiming to attract specific tourist groups to Malta. “This event diversifies Malta’s tourism profile, especially during the quieter summer months,” Micallef concluded.

article credits : #maltadaily on Instagram | Hashtags

Malta’s International Airport has been recognised as the “Best Airport in Europe” in its size again!

For the sixth consecutive year, MIA has been named on this prestigious list.

In the ASQ Awards, Malta ranked in the 5-15 million passengers per year. 

Scores & Ratings

Ambience – Score of 4.2

“The facilities within Malta Airport offer passengers a comfortable and seamless journey. Every aspect of the airport journey has been considered to ensure the best possible guest experience.”

Courtesy & Helpfulness of Airport Staff – Score of 4.3

“The friendly and welcoming people at Malta International Airport, in addition to the firs-rate amenities, were essential in making my journey enjoyable.”

Ease of Finding Way & Cleanliness- Score of 4.3
“The entire process was quick and efficient. Despite being a smaller airport, Malta Airport is the most well-organised airport.”

article credits : Lovin Malta

With Easter round the corner one can already see the typical Maltese specialties all around the Island in bakeries and shops. The Maltese love spending their Sundays with family around the table in good company and food. Below we shall be taking a look at some of our Easter favorites.

KWAREŻIMAL

Kwareżimal is a traditional Maltese sweet that is prepared throughout Lent. It is a biscuit of sorts finished with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkling of nuts. The original recipe was made vegan (of course without the addition of honey) as it contained no butter, milk or eggs in the mixture. Present day, some recipes opt for egg whites as it makes the texture lighter and fluffier.

QAGHAQ TAL-APPOSTL

Known in English as ‘Apostle’s Ring Bread’, this a specially crafted bread that is traditionally baked for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. It is found in bakeries and supermarkets throughout the Lenten time and is distinct due to its ringed shape and flavour. It is slightly sweet and topped with sesame seeds and almonds.

KARAMILLI TAL-ĦARRUB

These little treats are specifically made for Good Friday but can be consumed at any time during Lent. They are made from carob and have a hard texture. Karamilli tal-Ħarrub can be found almost anywhere in bakeries and vendors on the streets who sell a selection of traditional Maltese foods.

Nowadays, Karamelli tal-Harrub are often made using brown sugar but you can still find them with carob. They come prepared in square shapes and are eaten in moderation as the sugar content is quite high. They have a slight tang to them as they are also bursting with the flavours of many spices such as cinnamon, aniseed and cloves.

With Easter round the corner one can already see the typical Maltese specialties all around the Island in bakeries and shops. The Maltese love spending their Sundays with family around the table in good company and food. Below we shall be taking a look at some of our Easter favorites.

FIGOLLI

Perhaps everyone’s favourite, figolli is a much-loved Easter treat. They are often shaped into bunnies but are also commonly found in other variations such as easter eggs, butterflies, chickens or hearts to name a few. The dough itself once baked is buttery, slightly crumbly and highly addictive and to literally top it all off, coloured icing is iced atop to not only add colour and a pretty display but to also add a slight sweetness to the figolli. Chocolate and sprinkles are other popular toppings too, should you prefer. If that wasn’t enough to make you want to try a figoli ASAP, they also contain an almond paste filling that adds an even deeper flavour.

If you love Malta’s traditional bread, it looks like you’re far from being alone. In fact, according to CNN Travel, you’re after all talking about one of the best bread on the planet

In a listicle which was updated and reshared yesterday, the travel section of the massive American media house included ħobż tal-Malti in its list of the “50 of the world’s best breads”, with the islands’ fave coming in at 28

“Classic versions take more than a day to prepare, and were traditionally baked in shared, wood-fired ovens that served as community gathering places,” CNN Travel wrote

The list features a number of beloved breads from all over the world, from Canada’s Montreal bagels and France’s baguettes to Italy’s ciabatta and Jordan’s Taboon bread

And considering the beloved Maltese ftira was just recently recognised as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage presented by UNESCO, it’s looking like local bakeries have a lot to celebrate!

article credit : lovinmalta – If you love Malta’s traditional bread, it looks like you’re far from being alone. In fact, according to CNN Travel, you’re after all… | Instagram

According to official data shared with MaltaDaily, there were 3,002,823 total inbound visitors in 2023, including cruise passengers overnighting in the island.

Excluding cruise passengers, the total number of inbound tourists was 2,975,670, with first time tourists seeing an increase of 34% over 2022 at 2,305,255.

20,241,803 was the total number of nights spent by inbound tourists – an increase of 21.9% over the previous year.

Meanwhile, 1,238,827 inbound tourists stayed for 7 nights or more in the Maltese islands. The total expenditure in Euro by inbound tourists was €2,671,431,000.

This is an increase of over 32.7% over the previous year. The per capita expenditure in Euro of inbound tourists in 2023 was €898.

Meanwhile, 547,991 Italian tourists came to Malta, making it the largest market in 2023. Australia registered the largest growth of all markets over 2022 with 53,216 tourists making their way to the island.

article credits – Malta daily – #maltadaily on Instagram | Hashtags

Our team are thrilled to have toured the impressive Barceló Fortina this week! With its stunning Valletta views and versatile spaces, it’s the perfect blend of style and functionality for our upcoming collaborations. Exciting times ahead!

The recent unveiling of Fortina’s €35m revamped 5-star hotel has injected a touch of dynamism to the Tigné seafront. Operated by the prestigious hotel chain Barceló Hotel Group – one of the fastest evolving, award-winning hotel brands – the Sliema property is in the hands of GM Koldo Salazar who is on a mission to deliver a client-centric, memorable experience.

Here, WhosWho.mt catches up with the General Manager to get a better understanding of the company’s vision for Malta and the type of tourists it wants to attract.

What does Barceló bring to the island to make it unique?

Barceló Hotel Group is currently the second largest hotel company in Spain and one of the 30 largest in the world in terms of number of rooms (+62,000), a clear sign of the trust and commitment the brand has earned.

As a Group, Barceló is also strongly committed to sustainability. Wherever we go we actively contribute to the development of a more regenerative tourism, while remaining faithful to our values based on a deep respect for the destinations we operate in.

What type of tourist do you want to attract?

We believe Barceló Fortina Malta is a unique destination for cultural travellers and getaway tourists. Overlooking the coveted view of the island’s capital Valletta, the hotel is strategically located along the seafront within walking distance of top restaurants, designer outlets and popular nightspots. It’s also a five-minute ferry ride away from the 450-year-old fortified capital, providing business travellers with the opportunity to still squeeze in a quick visit in between their busy schedule.

Last year, Malta was compared to “Ibiza, but cheaper”. With your finger on the pulse of both the Maltese and Spanish tourism markets, what do you think of these statements?

Each island is unique. Ibiza and Malta have their own geographical, social and cultural identities, so it would not be a fair comparison. The tourist attractions of both go far beyond sun, beach and nightlife… and we plan to be part of a memorable experience.

What do you think are the challenges facing Malta?

Tourists are becoming more and more demanding; they are more concerned about healthy habits, digitisation and quality experiences.

If you want tourists to choose your services and products, you have to offer them the best and most competitive experiences in the market; and to do this, the first step is to get to know your customers better, their expectations, their preferences and their ways of understanding travel. To do this, Barceló Hotel Group applies its client centric strategy, where the guest is the centre of the entire customer journey and their happiness, the main motivation to continue improving all the services we offer.

In terms of sustainability, the creation of responsible tourism alternatives is another of our challenges: to make hotels more sustainable and have a positive impact on destinations. We aim to enhance the natural heritage of the places where we are located, contract experiences directly from local suppliers and focus on local gastronomy in the restaurants of our hotels.

From an outsider’s perspective, what do you think the island’s strengths are?

Although Malta is a small island, it is steeped in history and has several attractions and hidden gems to explore.

In addition to its clear waters and choice of rocky or sandy beaches, there is also an amazing variety of natural landscapes, including spectacular cliffs and secluded coves to discover…

article credits: https://whoswho.mt/en/exclusive-insight-barcel-hotel-group-s-vision-for-its-seafront-luxury-hotel-in-sliema-s-fortina?fbclid=IwAR0R5ohmuZ-VSwCsFYJk1Py2yx28rzSeqCkrmjZ6UtGamoAbLmHvpCWh-CI 

2023 proved to be a record-breaker in tourism numbers. This was revealed by the National Statistics Office (NSO), whose figures revealed that the total inbound tourists for the year of 2023 amounted to 2,975,670.

This marked a 30.1 per cent rise when compared to the corresponding period in 2022. 2023’s record figure breaks earlier record set in 2019, that of 2,771,888 visitors to the islands.

Overall, NSO noted that in 2023 the total tourist expenditure was estimated at €2.7 billion, an increase of 32.7 per cent than that recorded for 2022.

The total nights spent by inbound tourists also increased by 21.9 per cent, exceeding 20.2 million nights. Additionally, an increase was also noted in the expenditure per capita, from €880 in 2022 to €898 in 2023.

Expanding further on figures recorded in December 2023, NSO explained that a during the month under review a total of 144,301 tourists vised the islands for holiday purposes. Meanwhile, 9,156 tourists visited for business purposes. 84.8 per cent of which chose to stay in rented accommodation establishments.

The majority of the tourists were aged between 25 and 44 years old at 42.1 per cent, followed by the 45-64 age bracket at 32.1 per cent.

In total, British, Italian and Polish residents made up for 45.4 per cent of total inbound tourists.

In December the total nights spent by tourists also increased. With a marked rise of 9.9 per cent when compared to the corresponding month in 2022, tourists spent almost 1.1 million nights in Malta.

Meanwhile the average length of stay of total inbound tourists stood at 6.7 nights.

The overall spending by tourists nearly reached €116.7 million, marking a 15 per cent rise compared to the same month in 2022. The average expenditure per night was estimated at €109.8.

article credits: https://businessnow.mt/2023-breaks-records-for-highest-number-of-tourism-arrivals-in-maltas-history/?fbclid=IwAR34xWgWELfVgOIuqMV5bJPXmIxUF_dqyrad-MWXDf1koj0Up9EFxVQkoPw