Emirates returns with travel journalism award

Emirates Airline is once again awarding journalists in Malta for the best travel assignment in the 18th Malta Journalism Awards (MJA).

The Dubai-based international airline is sponsoring the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IĠM) for the fifth year. The Travel Journalism Award is being re-introduced after an absence of two years.

The prize will provide a €350 cash award together with a trophy, designed by a Maltese artist. Emirates Airline is also offering two return tickets to Dubai, including three nights' accommodation in a four-star hotel.

Paul Fleri Soler, Emirates' manager for Malta and Cyprus, said: "Emirates welcomes the re-introduction of the travel journalism category. Emirates recognises the hard work and professionalism of journalists in Malta. Our contribution is aimed at rewarding the highest quality in travel writing."

Speaking about the guidelines, Malcolm J. Naudi, IĠM chairman, said that entries will be evaluated on the quality of research, writing style, quality of content and overall presentation. An independent panel of judges will be evaluating the submissions.

Last year, Emirates awarded the Best Overseas Assignment to Alvin Scicluna with his three entries broadcast on TVM.

This year, Emirates is celebrating the 10th anniversary since it started operating flights to Malta. The airline currently flies from Dubai to Malta via Larnaca, Cyprus, five times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, on the new Boeing 777-300. From December 1, Emirates will be operating flights to Malta daily.

From its Dubai hub, Emirates currently flies to 99 destinations in 62 countries on six continents and has a modern fleet of 116 aircraft.

Emirates' new routes for this year include Kozhikode (Calicut), Guangzhou, Los Angeles, Durban and San Francisco. For flight information and bookings visit www.emirates.com.mt.