Friday, 10th July 2009 - 14:32CET

Scheme to encourage councils organise events

The government is allocating €250,000 to be used by local councils in the organisation of events in their localities next year.

This is one of a series of measures being undertaken by the government for the development of sustainable localities.

The scheme was launched last year when 33 applications were submitted for the €138,000 allocated for event that year with the events of 27 councils - 15 in Malta and 12 in Gozo, being accepted.

Launching this year’s scheme, parliamentary secretaries Chris Said and Mario de Marco said that it was in line with the government’s objective of diversifying the tourism product offered by Malta, reducing seasonality and providing a better distribution of income within the localities.

The scheme would serve as an incentive for councils to enhance their localities’ cultural heritage through the promotion of traditional activities and the enrichment of local artistic skills and talents, showcasing them for the domestic market and visitors.

The scheme is for events organised between October and May and the aim is to have an event every weekend.

The Malta Tourism Authority would be marketing these events.

Dr de Marco said that 170,000 visitors came to Malta for culture last year and although there were specific tourism zones in the country, there were other areas which had a strong potential to attract tourists. Such a scheme would help make these localities more accessible.

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Sunday, November 22, 2009. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

Alfred Farrugia (on 10/7/09)

Dear Charles, I photographed Aldo Laferla driving his Porsche on 3 wheels and finishing with a second overall place at the Nadur Hillclimb in 1965. Charles Spiteri registered the fastest time of day at the same event.

During the same year the Gozo Circuit Road Race was held. These photos together with others may be found in the centre pages of the Malta Driver, December 1965, printed by Progress Press co. Ltd.

Charles Grech (on 10/7/09)

Up to a few years ago at the village of Nadur ,Gozo there used to be held the Gozo hill climb but now it all finished I think because of the very poor state of the road where it used to be held,if I`m not mistaken that event started in the middle of the 70`s.

h galea (on 10/7/09)

@ James Green You are right 'Fill the Pot Holes Campain' But by hume, so far we have Children cleaning the beaches. This is abuse, and no authorities complain about this, human rights are for every body irrespective if with pay or not.

James Green (on 10/7/09)

Good idea!. Let's start with a 'Fill the Pot Holes' campaign.

Alfred Farrugia (on 10/7/09)

Can a similar scheme be introduced so that local councils might be in a position to promote sporting events, in partnership with the appropriate sport organization? Can additional funds be provided for local councils to improve the infrastructure for such events? Can, for example, the Rabat (Malta) Local Council be allocated supplementary funds to resurface the Mtahleb hill for an international hillclimb? Such an event was held 35 years ago with drivers and cars from Sicily, but since then the road built by the Italian Military Mission has deteriorated and is in need of repair. The central government considers this road as the responsibility of the local council! Has the local council been provided with a budget to resurface this road? I agree that cultural heritage and traditional activities need to be promoted, but there are other activities that local councils could organize for the benefit of the local population as well as the population at large and visiting tourists.

C.Sammut (on 10/7/09)

I would like to see areas, where there are resident immigrants, offer through professional kitchens, cuisine typical of their country. This can be mixed with bbqs or local cuisine for a low price at the local village square. Local organisations/shops can also set up stands displaying their faire or perhaps locally organised jumble sales. Loud bombarding music is not to be encouraged though. Children entertainment and security should be musts. Other incentives can be open air films in the village square.

Scheme to encourage councils organise events

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