Bookings for Mediterranean cruises next year have so far matched last year’s performance, indicating that the cruise industry could weather the current international financial and economic turmoil, the Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism said this morning.

He said that mindful of the importance which the cruise industry has for Malta, Valletta Waterfront operators Viset, the Malta Tourism Organisation and Malta International Airport will create a €400,000 fund to promote Malta as a cruise and stay destination.

Dr de Marco said Malta was recently awarded the Destination of the Year Award by Sea Trade Insider, a company specialising in the organisation of fairs and conferences for the cruise line industry. The award was presented in recognition of Malta’s efforts to promote cruise liner travel in the winter. A conference on the subject was held in Malta recently.

The Parliamentary Secretary noted that cruise passenger arrivals had, for the first time, exceeded the half a million mark this year. Total arrivals this year are projected to be 540,000, a growth rate of 12 percent over last year.

Viset are currently investing €2 million to improve the quays so that Valletta Waterfront could accomodate bigger cruise ships. A buoy will also be laid off Xlendi for mooring by cruise ships.