Maltese representatives were in Miami between 10-14 March to attend the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention when Malta Tourism Authority chairman Sam Mifsud was presented with a commemorative silver plate by Seatrade Communications Limited, to mark the MTA’s support and sponsorship of the ‘Seatrade Winter Cruising Shipping Forum’ that was held in Malta last January 2008.

The presentation was held at the Malta Tourism Authority’s Stand at the Miami Convention Centre. Official representatives at the Malta Stand were Mr Mifsud, Francesca Vincenti, MTA Cruise and Leisure Executive, and Chris Paris, general manager of VISET. The participants focused on the promotion of the Maltese Islands as the gateway to Mediterranean Cruising and as a competitive home port for top liners looking to remain in the Mediterranean.

Dream Publications Limited further recognised Malta for its achievements as a cruise destination. Dream World Cruise Destinations magazine presented Mr Paris with a commemorative certificate as part of the 2007 awards for Most Improved Destination. This award acknowledges the improvement seen in the tourism product including the infrastructure, such as city and town centre landscaping, traffic flow, provision of transport, access to tourism information, new attractions and experiences. Malta also won the award for Most Improved Port Facilities, regarding berthing facilities, parking spaces and other related amenities.