The Wall Street Journal recommended 10 unique destinations for 2025. Malta is one of them.
In a nutshell, the Wall Street Journal, considered to be the largest newspaper in the United States of America with a print circulation of more than 600,000 print subscribers and more than 3 million digital subscribers, told its readers to visit Malta this year.
It described our country in glowing terms, having a rich history dating back to the Phoenicians, and describes Malta as a modern EU member state.
MICAS - the first international contemporary art museum that Prime Minister Robert Abela and I inaugurated a few weeks ago, one of the biggest, most significant achievements for Malta's art and cultural sector in decades, too was mentioned by this prestigious, global, newspaper.
It also referred to Malta's thriving film industry referring to the international blockbusters 'Gladiator II', ' Napoleon' and 'Game of Thrones' that were largely filmed in Malta.
As the Minister responsible for culture and the arts, but as a proud Maltese citizen first and foremost, I am honoured, and humbled, that Malta, one of the smallest countries within the European continent, ranked along huge markets as are Japan, Colombia and the US that were also recommended as places to visit, in 2025, by the Wall Street Journal.
Tremendous success
The New Year's Eve celebrations in Valletta were a huge success. It was impressive. 50,000 people took part in these events, turning Valletta into one big celebration to usher in 2025.
St George's Square was one big hive of activity, fun, and celebrations. I have nothing but words of praise for the artists that made this event a terrific success - Ira Losco, The Red Electric, Shaun Farrugia and Kevin Paul, and the international artists, CASCADA
I am indebted to Jason Micallef, Chairman of the Valletta Cultural Agency and Olaf Mckay, Valletta's mayor, for their remarkable commitment to make this yearly, biggest, free of charge, event an absolute success.
Impressive numbers
Gozo has become a destination of choice for thousands of Maltese and tourists alike. The Gozo Channel has recently announced that during the Christmas period, 348,000 passengers and 117,000 vehicles crossed over to Gozo. That is a huge number of people, and it does not include those who crossed over to Gozo using the fast ferry service, a much needed and efficient service introduced by the Labour Government.
The Gozitan economy depends largely on tourism. The massive number of people that spent their holidays in Gozo would have a tremendously positive effect on the Gozitan economy, especially its catering and accommodation sectors.
Since 2013, Labour has invested heavily in Gozo. More needs to be done to ensure a better quality of life for Gozo and Gozitans. But Gozo has come a long way since the days when its economy was struggling, especially in the last Nationalist Party administration - which, to be fair, the economy struggled in both Malta and Gozo. Things changed drastically when Labour took office in 2013. Today, Malta has the fastest growing economy in the Eurozone.
Extraordinary generosity
It was Her Excellency President Myriam Spiteri Debono's first national fundraiser, L-ISTRINA and a whopping €5,214,000 were collected for a very good cause - The Malta Community Chest fund.
L-ISTRINA has been with us for years, and every year, it gets better. The Maltese, whatever their background, contribute generously. This year was another extraordinary success.
As was the id-Dar tal-Providenza fundraiser, led by Mons Fr Martin Micallef, the good priest with a heart of gold who is doing a remarkable job leading an institution which is loved and respected by all for the huge help and support it gives to our brothers and sisters in need. This year, the id-Dar tal-Providenza fundraiser raised an impressive €1,540,278.
Spectacular
60 brave men and women, part of a local Maltese company, Pyroemotions, took Malta to the Guinness World Record on New Year's Eve. In Qatar, this Malta based company broke a world record in the pyrotechnical industry, firing an impressive 3,865 single fireworks shots from 500 drones. That's quite a feat. According to Qatari press reports, 300,000 people watched the celebrations. Well done to Pyroemotions. You made Malta proud.
Ground-breaking
Kwir is a new ground-breaking series on ONE TV. It aims to 'de-homophobe' football and 'create space for underrepresented voices and stories'. It is produced by Brandon Terrible, a young successful producer.
These initiatives are truly welcomed. Malta has come a very long way on LGBTIQ+ rights. Pre-2013, the then hugely conservative PN led administrations were dead set on denying LGBTIQ+ human beings what is theirs by right: the right to love someone freely and the right to marry that someone.
Labour changed what was a hugely discriminatory situation, and today Malta is a leader on LGBTIQ+ rights in the EU. However, more needs to be done. Unfortunately, discrimination still abounds, especially in particular areas and sectors. Terrible's ONE TV series addresses the beautiful game of football and the ugly face of homophobia that often forces players to hide their sexuality.
Speaking to the local press, the Kwir producer said that having conducted research, he found that teenagers who identify as queer stay away from football. The good news is that Terrible's initiative should help combat discrimination and taboo.
Officially amazing
'Officially amazing' was Neil Agius' reaction when he unboxed the Guinness World Records certificate, which officially confirms him as a world record holder. On the 23rd of September 2024, Neil, a high-endurance athlete, former Olympic swimmer, and ocean conservation advocate, broke the world record for the longest non-stop unassisted swim For three days, non-stop, Neil swam a gruelling total of 142.3 kilometres around the Maltese islands. A truly inspirational young man. Keep it up, Neil, and keep making Malta proud.