Maltapost offers air tickets to mark World Post Day

Customers using Maltapost's services at any branch office today will be offered a unique opportunity to win a return flight ticket for two persons to any Air Malta destination in Europe.

The competition is being organised as part of Maltapost's celebration of World Post Day, commemorating the founding of the Universal Postal Union on October 9, 1874. This day will in fact be celebrated throughout UPU's 189 member states all over the world.

Customers who visit one of Maltapost's branches today to either buy stamps, register letters or parcels, send an EMS item, buy philatelic stationery or lodge bulk mail will be invited to answer a simple question. All correct answers will have the opportunity to win a return flight ticket for two persons to any Air Malta destination in Europe.

Besides this fabulous prize, 10 sets of first day covers issued from January to September 2002 will be awarded to customers taking a philatelic standing order (Lm10) between today and October 16.

Michael Stewart, senior manager marketing and business development of Maltapost, said in a statement that this initiative forms part of Malta's contribution towards commemorating World Post Day which this year carries the slogan Broaden your Horizons.

"Indeed, this year's slogan is particularly appropriate for Maltapost as our traditional products and services are under threat, hence we need to do things differently and look for new business opportunities.

"For example, although e-mail and e-messaging are replacing some personal messages sent as physical items, the postal industry is recognising the new emerging opportunities brought about by the electronic world. Virtual transactions carried out via the Internet are bringing new business for postal services. Physical products ordered over the Internet can be delivered through the postal network. More and more posts are also providing Internet services through their own outlets by setting up Internet cafes or kiosks within their premises. Such initiatives reaffirm the role of the postal service as the centre of the community and an important provider of information," he said.

The Universal Postal Union has contributed to the worldwide expansion and modernisation of postal services. Through the establishment of international regulations for its member states, it has created a single postal territory throughout which the free circulation of mail is guaranteed.