MSC Cruises will be resuming their weekly port calls to Malta from April 30 after an absence of a year due to hikes in fuel prices.

Addressing a press conference this afternoon aboard the luxurious flagship MSC Preziosa, Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis said that the return of the MSC’s regular calls was a “very important event” and he was keen to see the state of affairs restored to how they were two years ago.

Despite being overshadowed by land-based tourism cruise liner tourism has increased by 10 per cent since 2011, three per cent above the Mediterranean average.

In the first three months of this year, the number of cruise liner passengers increased by 40 to 50 per cent over the same period last year, the minister said.

In 2012, the cruise liner industry generated some €78million in income.

Brought by Hamilton Travel, the MSC Lirica will be operating a weekly Malta to Malta itinerary between April 30 and October 27.

It will leave Malta on Wednesdays and cruise to Trapani, Cittavecchia and La Spezia in Italy, Marseille in France and Palma de Mallorca/Tunis.

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