By
Rebecca Gibson |
This article was first published in the Autumn/Winter 2017 issue of International Cruise & Ferry Review. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed.
Fresh from hitting an all-time cruise passenger high (more than 680,000 movements) in 2016, Malta’s capital city Valletta is certainly not slowing down as it gears up for another record cruise season in 2017, and the honour of being officially named the European Capital of Culture in 2018.
This year, Valletta Cruise Port, a subsidiary of Global Ports Holding, will handle more than 330 port calls and expects over 700,000 passenger movements. The port is operating its second regular homeporting agreement with P&O Cruises’ Oceana, and a weekly homeporting operation with TUI Cruises. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Spirit is another regular visitor with weekly turnaround calls. In addition, MSC Cruises’ Malta-flagged newbuild MSC Meraviglia, which made her maiden call in Valletta this June is another weekly caller this summer.
In spring 2018, Valletta Cruise Port will host the MedCruise General Assembly. Several new shore excursions will also become available as Malta’s capital city celebrates its 2018 European Capital of Culture title. In addition to its usual events, Malta will host the Pageant of the Seas, a colourful spectacle set against the backdrop of Valletta’s Grand Harbour. It will also regenerate the 1860s Old Indoor Market to offer fresh food and cultural activities; open Muza, the new national museum of fine arts; and much more.
Valletta Cruise Port won its second consecutive ‘Best Terminal Operator’ award in March 2017. It was also named a ‘Top-Rated Mediterranean Cruise Destination’ in Cruise Critic’s 2017 Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards.
“We are very excited to be a recipient of these awards – Valletta Cruise Port together with local stakeholders pulls all ropes to ensure that Malta continues to excel as a cruise destination,” said Stephen Xuereb, CEO of Valletta Cruise Port and COO of Global Ports Holding. “Excellent passenger satisfaction ratings and recognition for Valletta’s port services and the destination give us renewed energy to continue working relentlessly.”
The port’s ability to provide high quality cruise services has been furthered by its active contribution to the Malta Cruise Network Forum, which brings together all players to ensure that Malta delivers efficiently, reliably and flexibly to the cruise lines and their passengers.
To ensure Valletta Cruise Port continues to play a significant role in sustainably developing Malta’s tourism industry, it signed the UNWTO Private Sector Commitment to the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism last June.
“This represents a strong and effective pledge by Valletta Cruise Port to follow a comprehensive set of principles designed to guide key players in tourism development,” said Xuereb. “The code aims to help maximise the sector’s benefits while mitigating any potentially negative impacts on the environment, cultural heritage and communities. At Valletta Cruise Port, we understand that the cruise industry and port activity impacts the local communities in various ways. Valletta Cruise Port, also through the Valletta Waterfront destination, is committed to carrying out activities responsibly, with sustainability being centre of everything we do.”