Costa Cruises’ Costa Pacifica will be calling 37 times in the Grand Harbour next year, up from 24 visits this year, bringing some 70,000 passengers to visit, up from this year's 50,000, the company told a news conference on the vessel yesterday.

And Costa will be using Malta as a home port for the Costa Allegra cruises with an eastern Mediterranean itinerary from July.

Tourism Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco welcomed the development and said that the Malta Tourism Authority and others have been promoting the Cruise and Stay concept for Malta in various countries and regions, including Russia, the Gulf and the Middle East, Cyprus, Hungary, the UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Benelux countries.

He also referred to the berthing facilities inaugurated at Boiler Wharf in Senglea, on the other side of the Grand Harbour, which is now being used as a spill-over quay for VISET when Valletta Waterfront is full.





KNPD

welcomes

budgetary

measures

The National Commission for Persons with Disability welcomed measures in the budget which it had proposed and which are aimed at helping persons with disability and their families.

Its proposals, the commission said, had focused on employment, with many disabled persons finding it difficult to get a job. The commission listed measures in the budget which helped the sector and said it also welcomed the higher vote for Agenzija Sapport, which also helps the disabled.