There’s always something brewing.

The Brewhouse is one of Malta’s most iconic industrial buildings and exciting regeneration projects. Occupying the site of the former Farsons Brewery and designed by world renowned Ian Ritchie Architects, The Brewhouse is being transformed into an inspirational mixed-use destination which will include a variety of unique spaces, unlike anything found on the island.

Events Spaces
The Brewhouse is a standout venue for your next event. On Level 4, one finds a fully equipped and flexible 300 sqms space for small to medium sized events such as seminars, workshops, networking events or private parties. These is also The Brewhall, a breathtaking two-tiered brewing room featuring the original boiling coppers.

Meeting Facilities
Depending on your requirements, The Brewhouse has the right meeting facility for you. Take The Redler Room, a 20-person boardroom anchored around authentic industrial equipment in situ. Users of this amazing space will also enjoy private access to the adjoining terrace and have a full range of Food and Beverage packages at their fingertips.

The lifestyle offering housed within this historical landmark will have something for everyone. Office tenants will no doubt enjoy the convenience of the several food and beverage outlets on site for working lunches and after-hours networking, while families and tourists will easily make a day out of their visit to The Brewhouse with a stop at the upcoming Farsons Brewery Visitor Experience, a browse through the flagship Brandstore and a bite to eat at the upcoming Microbrewery and beer garden.

A new apron is to be developed at Malta International Airport to handle future growth, MIA said.

The €40 million project was given the go-ahead by the board of directors of Malta International Airport on Tuesday.

The Apron X project will see the development of an area measuring around 100,000 square metres, which is roughly comparable to the size of 14 football pitches. It will significantly improve the airport’s aircraft parking capacity and its ability to better handle mixed-fleet operations, particularly during peak hours in summer.

Apron X will be able to accommodate up to seven medium-size aircraft or three larger ones.

The airport has an additional 20 stands for aircraft on Aprons 8 and 9.

At this critical juncture, we have the responsibility to start taking long-term decisions, even if they may appear to be at odds with the current aviation environment, that will determine the future of the local tourism industry. Today’s approval of the Apron X investment is Malta International Airport’s strongest statement yet about its confidence in the industry’s ability to recover to pre-pandemic levels, as well as its potential to grow further and achieve new records,” said Malta International Airport Chief Executive Officer Alan Borg.

The project will include a taxiway to the new apron, and a staging area housing facilities for ground handling operations.

The Apron X project is also envisaged to support Malta International Airport in honouring its environmental commitments through the construction of a 10,000sq metre reservoir for better rainwater harvesting and the installation of LED floodlighting systems.

Additionally, the project will provide for preparatory works for the electrification of parking stands, in line with a European Union plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The project will supply parked aircraft with an electricity supply.

Works on the project are expected to commence in the coming weeks once the local Planning Authority issues a permit. While the company is eyeing the start of summer 2024 for the completion and utilisation of the first parking stands, the full project is expected to be concluded in 2026.

Article credits: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/malta-airport-to-invest-40m-in-new-apron-and-taxiway.936383

VisitMalta and Carter Entertainment are proud to announce an exciting collaboration to bring the first-ever LIVE show of the L.O.L Surprise! Dolls to the UK and to Malta!

Introducing L.O.L. Surprise! LIVE VIP Party in collaboration with VisitMalta – the multi-city UK national and Malta tour is set to remix the vibes of a club, feature the best ever beats & latest songs from the upcoming L.O.L. Surprise! movie, never-before-seen dance moves and the ultimate instagrammable sets.

After kicking off in Sheffield last week, everyone’s favourite L.O.L. Dolls arrived in London, as a host of famous faces descended to The SSE Arena, Wembley, for a night of glitz and glamour. Ferne McCann, Fearne Cotton, and more attended London’s opening night of the highly anticipated L.O.L. Surprise! LIVE VIP Party in collaboration with VisitMalta hosted by Lady Diva, Royal Bee, Swag, Neonlicious and many more.

Speaking at a press event before the first Wembley Show, via a video message, Malta’s Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection, Clayton Bartolo said “Having VisitMalta as an official destination partner with LOL Surprise, one of the biggest worldwide brands when it comes to children’s entertainment is an exciting journey that we shall embark on together. This partnership shall be an opportunity to promote the Maltese islands as a family tourism destination directly with the target audience itself – as the show will be watched by hundreds of thousands of families across the United Kingdom. Moreover, this will make our country appealing to tourists will who be choosing Malta to travel alongside their families over the Easter holidays.”

Mr Johann Buttigieg, VisitMalta CEO, said that “we are really looking forward to seeing this partnership come to fruition, as it forms an intrinsic part of VisitMalta’s commitment to ensure that Malta cements itself as the safe family destination where families with children of all ages can enjoy great weather, beautiful beaches, an abundance of history, and some of the best food, with this exciting show by the L.O.L. Surprise! Dolls being the ultimate cherry on the cake. We are also proud to be supporting the UK tour of this show, which for us makes perfect sense, with the UK being our biggest and most important tourist market.”

L.O.L. Surprise! LIVE VIP Party in collaboration with VisitMalta will perform at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre, from the 5th to 17th April 2022, and tickets are available at www.visitmalta.com. Show times and days vary.

Samantha Wilson, Marketing Director for L.O.L. Surprise! UK^TM said: “We’re delighted to be bringing our L.O.L. Surprise! Dolls to the stage for the first time in the UK and in Malta. It’s such an exciting moment for us. We always love an opportunity to surprise fans, so the opportunity to work with Carter Entertainment on this brand-new show was one we couldn’t turn down. It’s going to be a show like no other, with bubbles, projections, confetti and even holograms. We can’t wait to see our fans interacting and dancing with their favourite dolls. We have no doubt it will be a moment they’ll never forget!”

Tony Worgan and Adam Carr, Co-Founders of Carter Entertainment said: We can’t wait for the UK and Malta to experience L.O.L. Surprise! LIVE VIP Party, and we’re delighted to have VisitMalta as the official destination sponsor. The show is so much more than a family experience, it’s a concert and dance party all rolled into one. Throughout the 90-minute show there will be creative sets, brand new choreography and everything from projections to confetti blasts. We knew we wanted to take the show to the next level and surprise fans, which is why it’s exciting to be the first UK family show to include holograms. We look forward to UK families coming together to see the show for the first time in November. The same goes for all the families in Malta next April!”

Read the full article here: https://www.mta.com.mt/en/news-details/347

Originally a TV show on Japan’s Fuji Television, Confidence Man JP follows the comic journey of a scammer as she tries to make do with copious amounts of money from yakuza bosses and evil businessmen. It is a comedy-heist series, which goes down a treat with all those who watch it.

The movie is the third in its series and it promises to be a multi-billion blockbuster like its two predecessors, which were filmed in Hong Kong and Malaysia, and the fact that this movie was now filmed in Malta, with the Island appearing as itself, will help to expose the beauty of the country to Japanese, Chinese and South Korean Tourists.

“Having this movie shot in Malta is definitely a big plus for the Asian Market,” Mr Shingo Endo, VisitMalta’s Japan and South Korea representative said, adding that with group bookings scheduled to start in June 2022, “we will continue to use this movie and its success to promote the sheer beauty of the Maltese Islands, giving tourists the opportunity to visit the various sites which have been used for the filming of this production.”

Although the movie is currently set for Asian release, there are plans in the pipeline to have it also available on streaming platforms, especially after the recent success of non-mainstream productions in the English language on giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime.

The movie production received the support of the Malta Film Commission and of VisitMalta, who were crucial in organising the pre-production visit to the Maltese Islands, when the movie was still in its early stages.

Read the full article here: https://www.mta.com.mt/en/news-details/349

The walled city of Valletta, founded in 1566, is the capital and was built on a peninsula between two natural harbours. It’s full of Baroque character and was recognised as an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.

If you want to take in the full majesty of the city, then you need to see the Grand Harbour in all its splendour – and if you want to also enjoy a great meal whilst doing so, then you should consider making a booking at ION – The Harbour, a proud holder of a MICHELIN Star.

It’s found on the 4th floor of the Iniala Harbour House hotel and, when you are a restaurant fortunate enough to be able to offer tables on a terrace that provide such spectacular views, then it makes sense to use it as much as possible – and that’s exactly what it does.

However, don’t think that your eyes will simply stay focused on the vista – the stunningly presented food directly in front of you will compete equally for your attention.

It’s fairly clear that this a kitchen that was classically trained but it is also one that understands elegance and refinement. The balanced and appealing set menus all make great use of the finest produce from nearby countries, be it lobster from Brittany used for the pithivier or Sicilian red prawns served with aged Kaluga caviar. The best local ingredients are also showcased and these include line-caught lampuki which here comes with dill and smoked cream. From the delicate canapés that kick off proceedings to the exquisite desserts, this is food that tastes as good as it looks.

And it’s not just the cooking and the setting that make ION – The Harbour such a special place. The service also ensures you feel truly looked after – it’s attentive and detailed but never overbearing or starchy. Similarly, the wine service is helpful, engaging and enthusiastic and the wine list itself offers plenty of depth, which includes an interesting selection by the glass.

Read the full article: https://guide.michelin.com/en/article/features/michelin-guide-malta-ion—the-harbour-valletta?fbclid=IwAR3Knx0YRhMVYU9TRcE1edUyXvzaot0drbn9RoSXYfnLj8uQCxy8UgPZp_8

A knights-era water reservoir has been discovered beneath the entrance to St Andrew’s Ditch in Valletta, a few metres down from the Hotel Excelsior.

An opening was discovered by accident on Sunday, and then another was found. Each has a depth of some 7.5m. The structure was found to be one of a number of reservoirs built by the knights for water storage in the fortified city. The structure, however, is in a sorry state with broken slabs and missing arches that have rendered it unsafe and unstable.

The gaping hole that turned out to be the entrance was discovered by architect Ruben Paul Borg who said it appeared dangerous since cars park in the area every day.

The reservoir, although forgotten, had been documented by the British. It had a capacity of 343,000 gallons

Subterranean Valletta has been the focus of recent public attention, with Heritage Malta opening a series of 500-year-old tunnels beneath the city for public viewing.

The tours include another reservoir, right beneath Great Siege Square, that dates back to the 16th century. At the time, owing to a shortage of water, the authorities in the city banned private gardens and required water reservoirs to be built under all houses.

The knights, showing great engineering skills, had built the aqueduct system to carry water from the Rabat area to Valletta, but the system was vulnerable to enemy attacks in uncertain times.

One small freshwater stream does flow into Valletta however. It emerges in the large basement of the Archbishop’s Palace.

Read the full article: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/knights-era-reservoir-found-under-valletta-ditch.922855

The much-anticipated service between Wine Wharf quay in Valletta and Augusta will initially operate five trips a week. Ponte Ferries kick-started its service between Malta and Sicily a few days ago and the itinerary allows for flexible and late departure times to enable passengers to bridge public holidays.

“We’re very appreciative of our clients’ patience and understanding during the past weeks and thank all the parties involved for their continuous support and cooperation to give Ponte Ferries the green light to set sail,” a company spokesman said.

The port of Augusta is located less than five minutes away from the autostrada, giving those wishing to reach or explore areas closer to Catania, Taormina and Syracuse quicker and easier access.

Read the full article: https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2021-11-18/local-news/Ponte-Ferries-inaugurates-new-Malta-Sicily-route-6736238390

Boasting one of the world’s highest vaccination rates, Malta is now welcoming back visitors safely with cash incentives and a recently launched Nomad Residence Permit.

Malta may be small but its response to the pandemic has been mighty. Once enforcing some of the strictest restrictions in Europe, the country has finally been able to open its borders and welcome back visitors safely, boasting one of the world’s highest vaccination rates.

Nearly 81% of all Malta residents are fully vaccinated. In fact, Malta and Portugal are the only two nations in Europe that have reached a more than 80% vaccination rate across their total population (including teenagers age 12 to 17, who have been eligible to get the vaccine since summer 2021), according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). This makes them two of the only places likely to avoid a winter resurgence says the ECDC director, and among the safest places to travel. Visitors to Malta must be vaccinated themselves if they want to skip a 14-day quarantine.

The country is more than ready to welcome back vaccinated international visitors – especially those looking to take advantage of their company’s new remote work policies. In June 2021, Malta launched their Nomad Residence Permit, which enables visitors to keep their current employment in another country and live in Malta for up to a year (with the opportunity for renewal). Applicants must prove they can work remotely, work for an employer or offer freelance or consulting services and earn at least the equivalent of €2,700 monthly.

The Nomad Residence Permit enables holders to retain their current employment based in another country whilst legally residing in Malta. The Permit is open to individuals who can work remotely and independent of location, using telecommunications technologies.

Malta already hosts and welcomes digital nomads from the EU. This community of entrepreneurial expats make the most of Malta’s island vibes, a nomad lifestyle, business networking opportunities and cultural experiences. The Nomad Residence Permit is open to individuals from third countries, who would normally (but not necessarily) require a Visa to travel to Malta.

The permit will be issued for one year and can be renewed upon application at the discretion of Residency Malta, as long as the applicant still meets the set eligibility criteria. Applicants who are interested in staying for less than a year will be issued with a National Visa for the duration of their stay.

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20211109-malta-the-island-welcoming-digital-nomads

During the past months, as tourism travel restrictions started to be lifted, the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Malta Tourism Authority recognized the need to embark on a coordinated effort to ensure that the Maltese hospitality sector is viewed as adequately safe and prepared to welcome and service the most discerning tourists. Towards this end, a team of experts facilitated by the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation developed the STAR Journey initiative, a comprehensive quality programme which aims to set Malta as an In-Partnership Forbes Travel Guide Destination with a focus on Service Excellence and Safety – a first in the world.

Read the full article: https://winning.training/star-journey

Fairyland – Santa’s City will return to Valletta from the 3^rd December to 2^nd January 2022!

Fairyland promises to be exactly what anyone would expect, following its first edition in 2019, as the entrance to Malta’s Capital City will be transformed into an original adaptation of Santa’s City, all set up to give the ultimate experience to children, and those who are still children at heart!

Among the attractions expected to return, Rudolph’s Wheel will once again provide the best bird’s eye view of Valletta and neighbouring cities and the Ice Rink will be providing quite a festive adrenaline rush!. Naturally, the man himself, Santa Claus will be in residence at Fairyland, ready to meet children from all over the world, compile his Naughty and Nice list and even get a head-start on delivering gifts.

Christmas Food and Drink will be available from Santa’s numerous cabins, and there will also be a couple of surprises!

“The return of Fairyland – Santa’s City is another step forward in our path towards the normality, we strongly missed due to the pandemic. Through this event, we will be providing families with the opportunity to enjoy the Christmas spirit with their loved ones through a number of attractions aimed at nurturing the positive atmosphere that the festive season is well renowned for in the Maltese Islands. The Ministry for Tourism and Consumer Protection together with the Malta Tourism Authority will continue working hard to assure that our country remains an entertainment bastion in the Mediterranean,” remarked Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection Clayton Bartolo.

Read the full article: https://www.mta.com.mt/en/news-details/337