The Valletta Cruise Port has this morning welcomed the 700,000th cruise passenger for this year. The lucky couple came aboard the MSC Meraviglia and they mark a new record number of passengers coming to Malta through cruise liners.
Minister for Tourism Konrad Mizzi said that this number is expected to be exceeded in 2018. He said that this marks an important milestone for the Valletta Cruise Port which was set up 15 years ago. Mizzi said the government is committed to provide further support to ensure it remains competitive and so that the Maltese tourist product is continuously improved. "Cruise industry in Malta is growing," he added. The passengers arrived aboard the MSC Meraviglia, which provides more than 50% of the tourist cruise traffic that come to Malta.
Stephen Xuereb, Valletta Cruise Port CEO said that his team, together with all the stakeholders, have worked relentlessly to achieve this goal.
Valletta Cruise Port is anticipating closing the year 2017 with a record movement of passengers, amounting to 780,000. The total number of tourists is expected to come aboard 340 cruise calls. In 2016, the cruise industry contributed over €94 million to the local economy.