Hamilton Travel (Malta) have been awarded the Dubai International Top Agent Award for the third consecutive year for their outstanding sales of Maltese groups into Dubai and in the United Arab Emirates for 2003 and 2004.
Hamilton Travel have been honoured as one of the top four international companies to send the largest groups to Dubai over the past three years. The Maltese travel agency has sent over 1,400 clients to the United Arab Emirates giving them the opportunity to admire the magic and the culture of a modern Arab state while making excellent shopping bargains.
The award-giving ceremony took place aboard the luxurious Lama Dubai Cruise, the largest dhow in the UAE which made her maiden voyage across the Dubai creek.
Ali Ibrahim Suwaidi, chairman of Lama Desert Tours and Cruises presented the award to Joe Borg, Hamilton Travel's representative and marketing consultant in the Middle East. Mr Suwaidi congratulated Hamilton Travel for the professional care and personal attention offered to Maltese clients in Dubai.
"Hamilton Travel are blazing the trail for other international travel agencies operating in the UAE with your professional attitudes and personal care you give your esteemed clients," Mr Suwaidi told Mr Borg.
Mr Borg thanked the Dubai tourism authorities for making Maltese holidaymakers enjoy their stay in the UAE. Hamilton Travel clients attended the presentation and then enjoyed the cruise and buffet dinner aboard the Lama Dubai Cruise along the moonlit Dubai creek and Dubai's brilliantly illuminated skyline. They could admire both the splendid old architecture and the impressive modern architecture which towers over Dubai creek.
Hamilton Travel are sending five back-to-back groups to Dubai during the tenth Dubai Shopping Festival between January 12 and February 12, having chartered an Air Malta Airbus.
Each group will arrive in Dubai on Monday at 8 a.m. and return to Malta the following Monday at 11.45 p.m. providing Maltese travellers with two whole extra days for shopping and sightseeing. The DSF 2005 is expected to attract well over four million visitors.
Hamilton Travel groups are accompanied by professional Maltese group managers who specialise in the UAE market.
For your diary
A lecture in Maltese on the artistic treasures of the Franciscans in Valletta, part of the series "Rediscovering Valletta" organised by the Malta Historical Society, is being delivered by Fr Alexander Bonnici, OFM Conv. at the Oratory of St Francis Church, tomorrow at 6 p.m.
Ward u Zghar will be meeting at the British Legion Bar, Melita Street, Valletta, on Wednesday at 7 p.m. For more information phone 9947-2868.
A card party in aid of the Little Sisters of the Poor is being held at the Skyroom of the Preluna Hotel, Sliema, on January 12 at 10 a.m. For bookings phone 2133-0357
NCW Christmas celebrations
The traditional Christmas celebrations of the National Council of Women was this year again held at The Victoria Hotel, Gorg Borg Olivier Street, Sliema, on December 9.
This year's Christmas party had a special feature: the well-known cultural correspondent Joyce Guillaumier entertained the large number of members and guests by playing popular songs and classical pieces with a Christmas theme.
This event, which was the first of NCW's Christmas activities, was a great success. NCW thanks the management of The Victoria Hotel for their continued support to NCW activities.
Vassallo - Malani
The marriage took place recently at St Mary's parish church, Attard, between Josette Vassallo, daughter of John and Emma Vassallo, of Attard, and Harish Malani, son of Cheryl and the late Bharat, of San Gwann.
The wedding was officiated by Fr John Scicluna, SJ, and Fr Stefan Attard, and witnessed by Silvana Vassallo, the bride's sister, and Pier Luigi Buttigieg, the groom's half-brother.
Michela Miceli Demajo was bridesmaid, while Graziella Bartolo was maid of honour. Jason Degiorgio was best man.
A luncheon was later held at the Corinthia Palace Hotel, Attard.
Gauci - Grima
St Philip parish church in Zebbug was recently the wedding venue for Adonelle Gauci, B.Accountancy (Hons), daughter of Philip and Jane Gauci, and Keith-Carl Grima, B.Com (Hons) Mgmt, son of Frances and Carmen Grima, of Zebbug.
Fr Daniel Cardona and Fr Joe Mizzi officiated at the wedding. Christabelle Gauci, sister of the bride, and Steve Grima, brother of the groom, witnessed the ceremony.
The bride, who wore a gold satin hand-embroidered dress with beads, with a bouquet of ivory roses, was attended by Ritienne Grima as maid of honour, and Janice Gatt, cousin of the bride, and Brenda Fitzpatrick, cousin of the groom, as bridesmaids. Damien Rogers was pageboy.
A reception was later held at the Westin Dragonara. The couple spent their honeymoon in London.
Abela Delicata - Camilleri
The marriage took place recently at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St Paul, Mdina, between Dr Françoise Abela Delicata, BA, LL.D., daughter of Mr Manoel Abela, BA, MBA, and Mrs Abela of Tarxien, and Joseph Camilleri, son of Mr Joseph Camilleri, B.Sc. (Lond.), Dip.Ed., and Mrs Camilleri of Xaghra.
Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr Frans Abela Giusti, OFM Cap. Mgr Eucharist Sultana and Fr Gigi Camilleri concelebrated. The ceremony was witnessed by Dr Marique Abela, MD, and Mariella Camilleri.
Manoel Martin carried out the duties of best man, and Mr John Sciberras, MD, MRCSE, was groomsman. Denise Martin was maid of honour. Neil Formosa was pageboy, while Abigail Debrincat was flower-girl.
A reception was later held at Castello dei Baroni, Wardija. The couple are spending their honeymoon in Venice and the Dolomites.
Azzopardi - Mizzi
St Bartholo-mew's parish church, Gharghur, was recently the venue for the wedding ceremony between Greta Azzopardi, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Azzopardi, of San Gwann, and Jonathan Mizzi, son of Joe and Maria Mizzi of Sliema.
The bride's uncle, Fr Timothy Azzopardi, celebrated nuptial Mass. Ryan Azzopardi and Matthew Mizzi, brothers of the bride and groom, witnessed the ceremony.
The bride, who wore an ivory hand-beaded gown, was assisted by Priscilla Grima as maid of honour and her sister Emma Azzopardi as bridesmaid. The duties of best man were carried out by Tony Pace and Joe Pisani. A reception was later held at The Palms, St Julian's. The couple will be spending their honeymoon in Malaysia.
Agius - Bezzina
The marriage took place recently at St Nicholas parish church, Siggiewi, between Notary Dr Sarah Ann Agius, BA, LL.D., ATCL, daughter of Dr Carmel and Rose Agius, of L-Iklin, and Ivan Bezzina, B.Eng. (Hons), son of Carmel and Nicholina Bezzina, of Siggiewi.
Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr A. Buhagiar, parish priest of Siggiewi.
Dr Rachel Agius, MD, LRSM, the bride's sister, and Joe Bezzina, the groom's uncle, were witnesses. The duties of best man were carried out by the groom's brother, Mark Bezzina, B.Sc., B.Com. (Hons).
The bride was attended by her sister Maria Agius, LRSM, as bridesmaid, and young Nicole Galea as flower-girl. David, the bride's brother, was ringbearer.
A reception was later held at Villa Arrigo, Naxxar. The couple are spending their honeymoon in Rome.
The President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements - December 27, 2004-January 2, 2005
Tomorrow
10.15 a.m. The President is interviewed by Saviour Balzan for the television programme Int X'Tahseb at the Palace, Valletta.
Wednesday
10 a.m. The President receives EU Commissioner Dr Joe Borg at the Palace, Valletta.
11 The President receives Principal Permanent Secretary Joseph R. Grima on a farewell call.
8 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a reception hosted by the BoV chairman at Le Meridien Phoenicia Hotel, Floriana.
Saturday
8.45 a.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami receive New Year's greetings at the Palace, Valletta.
Noon The President and Mrs Fenech Adami exchange New Year's greetings at the Archbishop's Palace, Valletta.