BOV Phoenician Experience launched in Tunisia

On the initiative of the Embassy of Malta in Tunisia and the Tunisian National Tourist Office, a press conference was held recently in Tunis to brief the foreign press of the forthcoming yachting rally, the BOV Phoenician Experience.

This was held at the fashionable Hotel Carthago Le Palace where members of the press were welcomed by the main host Raouf Jomni, Director General of the Tunisian National Tourist Office. He underlined the importance of this event in the framework of the excellent relations that exist between the two countries.

The launching was part of a programme of activities being held on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Tunisia and Malta.

The meeting was also addressed by Malta's Ambassador to Tunisia, Tanya Vella, who positioned such events as "strong dynamic signs of a new impetus that now characterises Tunisian-Maltese relations".

Dr Vella referred to the various high level visits and events that took place over the last two years notably the visits of President Ben Ali to Malta in 2005 and that of President Eddie Fenech Adami to Tunisia in July 2006.

Another speaker was organising committee member Wilfred Sultana.

He gave a brief history of the previous five editions of this 300-kilometre Malta-Lampedusa-Tunisia rally and welcomed the fact that this event has now established itself as a pleasant appointment where the family holiday spirit is given more importance than the competitive aspect.

He thanked the Tunisian authorities for their support and for the hospitality extended to participating crews and their family members.

Also present for the meeting were Rakia Tarika, Director of Marketing and Communication at the Tunisian National Tourist Office, and Haifa Najar representing Bank of Valletta Tunisia Office.

Special feature

Full details of the rally programme may be obtained from the organising committee while the July edition of Boats & Yachting includes a special six-page feature on the event.

The boats are bound to set sail to Lampedusa on July 27 with the power yachts leaving the next day.

After a one-night stop in Lampedusa the fleet of participants is expected to arrive at El Kantaoui on July 29.

A final briefing for participants is being held at the Royal Malta Yacht Club on Tuesday at 7.30 p.m.

The BOV Phoenician Experience is sponsored by Bank of Valletta, title sponsors, the Tunisian National Tourist Office and the Tunisian airline SevenAir.