Tui to home port cruise ships in Malta
Tui Cruises is to home port its cruise ships in Malta from 2011, Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco announced in Parliament this morning.
He said cruise ships would be starting and ending their Mediterranean cruises here for 28 weeks every year and 4,000 German tourists would be here every week to either join their cruise ship or depart.
He said that Viset had attracted Tui to Malta despite competition from Palma and from Greek ports.
Dr de Marco said the drop in cruise ship calls this year was caused by the high oil prices which had forced two cruise operators to operate closer to their own home parts.
In his speech, during the Budget debate in Parliament, Dr de Marco said several infrastructure projects would be taken in hand next year to improve the tourist product, but it was also important that everyone worked to ensure that Malta remained a competitive destination.
He said that while the difficult economic scenario was continuing to persist, there could be a better scenario in the second half of next year with regard to conference travel.
A word of caution, however, was over oil prices, which were rising again and could impact on airlines.
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michael seychell
Nov 25th 2009, 15:43
A comment for the doom and gloom moaners.
One should keep in view that the airlines bringing or taking the passengers of these two cruise companies, will be paying landing/takeoff fees to MIA. This will apply also each time an aeroplane lands or takeoff for maintenance or repair in one of the four or five aircraft maintenance companies operating in Malta.
There could also be other possible business in the terminal shops by the incoming outgoing passengers.
Such activities will ensure the jobs for MIA employees, and those employed in the various outlets, apart from the possibility of increasing profits by the various operators, and therefore paying more taxes in the government coffers.
Alison Natalie Keeler
Nov 25th 2009, 13:26
That has to be good news for the islands. Well done Tui. Let's hope that the 4,000 visitors per week are well received and sent shipbound with nothing but praise for all that is Malta.
joseph galea
Nov 25th 2009, 13:22
I hope that Minister de Marco is including the state in "also important that everyone worked to ensure that Malta remained a competitive destination".
Over milking a cow will not help it's offspring grow!
joe the plumber
Joe Vella
Nov 25th 2009, 13:02
Great!!! I believe that this is the second Cruise Line Company that is going to operate a number of cruises from Malta this coming year.