For a small country, Malta already boasts a significant number of Cultural Heritage Sites. The Megalithic Temples of Malta — including Ġgantija, Ħaġar Qim, Mnajdra, Skorba, Ta’ Ħaġrat, and Tarxien— the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, and the city of Valletta are all recognised by UNESCO.

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However, several other culturally significant sites have remained on UNESCO’s tentative list for years. Among them are the Cittadella and Mdina in Gozo, as well as Malta’s catacomb complexes, the Victoria Lines, the coastal cliffs, the Qawra/Dwejra site in Gozo, and the Knights’ fortifications surrounding the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour.

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A renewed push for UNESCO recognition

Speaking at a Labour Party event on culture and identity at the Mediterranean Conference Centre last Sunday, Abela reaffirmed the government’s commitment to preserving and promoting Malta’s heritage. He said the government would be submitting an application for the Cittadella and Mdina, though it remains unclear what new strategies will be implemented to improve their chances of securing UNESCO recognition.

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According to local media outlet Newsbook Malta, the Prime Minister highlighted the important role of culture in strengthening the Maltese identity.

I believe that our national language gives us our unique identity

Robert Abela, Prime Minister of Malta

Abela further underlined the importance of village feasts, a key element of Malta’s cultural heritage. He pointed out that the government had invested €19 million to help band clubs purchase their properties, thereby protecting them from eviction.

“During the pandemic, one of our main concerns was that the participation in feasts was going to reduce… However, we then witnessed a strong rebound as the number of young participants exploded”, he noted.

Malta’s bid for a seat on the UNESCO World Heritage Committee

In addition to seeking new UNESCO heritage status, Malta will also be submitting its candidacy for the UNESCO World Heritage Committee at the United Nations General Assembly in November.

The World Heritage Committee consists of 21 representatives from the 196 states that are parties to the World Heritage Convention. These 21 states are responsible for overseeing the implementation of the convention, selecting new heritage sites, and allocating funding for their conservation and protection.

If Malta secures a seat on the committee, it would play a more active role in global heritage preservation efforts while strengthening its position in the international cultural sphere.

L’article Malta pushes for two more UNESCO World Heritage Sites est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Malta is one of the few remaining EU Member States still offering such a scheme. The Netherlands stopped its program this year, while Spain announced in April it would follow suit. Elsewhere, Portugal has elimitated the real estate option from the scheme, while Greece has raised its price.

In Malta, in exchange for investing at least €690,000 to the national development fund, people from all over the world can gain Maltese, and thus EU, citizenship. The European Commission launched infringement procedures against Cyprus and Malta in 2020 about their golden passports schemes. 

“European values are not for sale. We consider that the sale of citizenship through ‘golden passports’ is illegal under EU law and poses serious risks to our security. It opens the door to corruption, money laundering and tax avoidance”, Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice and Consumers, stated at the time.

The Ukraine-Russia war put the issue under additional pressure, as the Commission suggested some Russian or Belarusian nationals who are subject to sanctions or are significantly supporting the war in Ukraine might have acquired EU citizenship or privileged access to the EU. 

“The right to travel freely within the Schengen area is among our greatest assets. We need strong checks to make sure this right is not abused. Golden residence permits issued to Russians and Belarusians under EU sanctions should be revoked”, said Ylva Johansson, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs.

The CJEU Advocate General, Anthony Collins, has now released his opinion in a non-binding report: “Member States have decided that it is for each of them alone to determine who is entitled to be one of their nationals and, as a consequence, who is an EU citizen. There is no logical basis for the contention that because Member States are obliged to recognise nationality granted by other Member States, their nationality laws must contain any particular rule,” said a non-binding report by Advocate General Anthony Collins on Friday, October 4^th. 

Even though the judges at the Court of Justice still have to rule about the matter and aren’t obliged to follow the Advocate General’s opinion, in reality, they often do. In that case, this could set precedent for other countries to keep and potentially reinstate their own investment schemes.

L’article EU court speaks out in favour of Malta’s golden passport scheme est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

1. Last flight

Flight KM103 took off from London’s Heathrow Airport at 8:30 pm, local time, on Saturday, and landed at Malta’s Luqa Airport 40 minutes past midnight, local time, the next day, coincidentally on Easter Sunday.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to our dedicated employees for their unwavering commitment and hard work over our 50-year tenure. We also express our gratitude to all our loyal customers, travel partners, and collaborators for their support throughout the years”, the airline said in a statement after its last flight.

We do our work like on any other flight – it should look like a flight like any other, but it’s very special to us all.

Captain Kevin Camilleri, Air Malta pilot

“Unfortunately, Air Malta went through so many things in the last few years, but there were two things that did not change; the wellbeing of the passengers and safety. I promise you we will take these priorities through to KM Malta Airlines… goodbye and thank you”, in-flight manager Richard Caruana said after the plane landed in Malta.

2. New airline

According to Maltese Finance Minister Clyde Caruana, the airline had been operating at a loss for over 20 years, with government intervention forcing the carrier to hire a much larger workforce than needed for its operations. At a certain point, the airline had 1,400 people on its payroll to operate just 9 aircraft.

Last year, the European Commission blocked another government bailout worth €290 million, so the carrier had to cease operations.

From the ashes of Air Malta, a new airline started operations on Sunday – KM Malta Airlines. Honouring its predecessor with the “KM” in its name, the IATA code for Air Malta flights, the new flag carrier is taking over 8 Airbus A 320 of Air Malta’s 9 aircraft, as well as pilots and cabin crew.

According to the Times of Malta, only 400 Air Malta employees are being brought over to KM Malta Airlines, the rest being offered “generous golden handshakes or absorbed in the public service with the same pay”.

Although the bailout for Air Malta was blocked, the government is investing €350 million in the new airline, Caruana said when the KM Malta Airlines was announced in October 2023. Most of the capital will be going into purchasing 3 of the 8 Airbuses, which are currently on lease, as well as buying the airport slots at Heathrow and Gatwick.

L’article Air Malta ceases operations exactly 50 years after first flight est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

1. A change of plans

The government’s original plan, which had received criticism from the European Commission, required a vaccination certificate for all travellers, meaning that as of Wednesday July 14th, a PCR Covid-19 test would no longer be enough to travel to Malta. However this has now been changed. According to an announcement yesterday, arrivals will instead face an undisclosed period of quarantine. The compulsory self-isolation period for those arriving from countries certified as “red” is currently already 14 days. Since June 1st, Malta has been once again welcoming tourists from the EU, the United States and a few other countries provided they presented a negative Covid test when boarding a plane to Malta, or if they were fully vaccinated. The short notice of the government’s original plans therefore would have put many travellers in a difficult situation. The plans also appeared to shut the door completely on tourists from the United States and other nationalities as the proof of vaccine required to enter the country had to be “a recognised vaccination certificate: a Maltese certificate, a British certificate or a certificate of the European Union”.

2. Criticism from the European Commission

From the outset, the Maltese government’s original plan had brought criticism from the European Commission, who expressed concerns that the ban could be discriminatory. On Monday, the European Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, said the European Commission was hoping to get Malta to reverse the border closure. “There have been two decisions: the certificate that has been put in place and that is required as proof of your health situation with regard to the viral infection. Then there is a recommendation adopted by the 27 States, which is based on the idea that the passport is sufficient in itself, unless the health situation deteriorates,” he said.

We will therefore discuss with Malta so that it accepts PCR tests. Depending on the level of contamination by the Delta variant, it is normal that we resume measures, testing and quarantine, but not a travel ban.

Didier Reynders, European Commissioner for Justice

European Commissioner Thierry Breton also suggested from the outset that the government could end up adapting Malta’s decision to ban unvaccinated travellers in order to ensure that any restrictions are non-discriminatory. He suggested that Malta could use alternative measures to ensure unvaccinated travellers are not discriminated against, for example mandatory quarantine periods for unvaccinated travellers. “Each state has its own situation,” he said at the time, acknowledging that decisions taken on the issue are subject to government’s discretion. “I am confident that government will be able to adapt this decision”. A prediction that did in fact come true.

I am confident that government will be able to adapt this decision

Thierry Breton, European Commissioner

In response to Malta’s initial plans European Commissioner spokesperson Christian Wigand also highlighted that any Coronavirus travel restriction established must be “proportionate and non-discriminatory”. He stressed that European Union countries could introduce measures to protect public health, but the Commission had asked Malta’s authorities to explain their measures imposed to stop the virus.

We have concerns that these measures could discriminate against those persons who are not fully vaccinated.

Christian Wigand, European Commissioner spokesperson

In addition to criticism from the EU, Malta’s initial plans to ban unvaccinated travellers also drew criticism from other countries, whilst the forum for the travel and tourism industry, World Travel and Tourism Council, called on governments worldwide not to shut the doors to unvaccinated travellers.

Malta, an island of around 500,000, people prides itself on being the most vaccinated country in the EU, with 79% of the adult population having received the two doses of serum. Unlike in other European countries, the rise in the number of new Covid-19 cases is not due to the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant: Malta’s public health chief, Charmaine Gauci, said Friday that only seven of the country’s 252 active cases were infected with this variant. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Malta has recorded 31 061 cases, including 420 deaths according to the figures published by the World Health Organisation.

L’article Malta gives up plan to ban unvaccinated travellers est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

1. Vaccination rollout

According to Malta’s Health Minister, 70% of the Maltese population, which is approximately 500,000, has now received their first Covid-19 vaccine, whilst 42% are fully vaccinated so far. The Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines, as well as the single jab Johnson & Johnson vaccine, are all in use on the island. Health Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne announced “… we have reached herd immunity. The vaccine is our weapon against the virus. It means that the virus’ transmission — even if the virus is still among us — has decreased significantly.”

2. Tourism in Malta

Malta will reopen to tourism from next week and is adopting a green, amber, and red tier system for travel. As of June 1st, masks will no longer be required by law at pools and beaches, although they are still recommended, and a month later they will no longer be required in all outdoor settings. In a bid to encourage the tourism destination, Malta Tourism Board also recently announced it would offer cash incentives for foreign visitors to book stays, offering up to €100 per person as a cash voucher which will be redeemable in hotel services such as restaurants and spa treatments. It is hoped that this will help restart tourism on the island.

L’article Malta says it has total herd immunity est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The scheme is aimed at putting Malta’s hotels in a very competitive position as international tourism restarts

Clayton Bartolo, Malta’s Tourism Minister

Reuters reported that tourists booking accommodation at a five-star hotel will get 100 euros from Malta’s Tourism Authority, which will be matched by the hotel for a total of 200 euros. Those opting for a four-star hotel will receive a total of 150 euros and those booking a three-star hotel will receive 100 euros.

The Malta Tourism Authority will be assisting the participating hotels as follows:

• €100 per person on every booking in a 5* Hotel.
• €75 per person on every booking in a 4* Hotel.
• €50 per person on every booking in a 3* Hotel.

Visitors to hotel properties in the island of Gozo (three kilometers north of the main island) will get an additional 10% value on the above incentives. The application needs to be filled and submitted online here

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According to Travel + Leisure, Malta is still in a partial pandemic lockdown but some measures have been eased in April: childcare, kindergartens, and primary schools are reopening, and visits to elderly homes are allowed again. Nonessential shops are scheduled to reopen on Monday, April 26th. Up to four will be able to gather in public as of the same date.

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A total budget of €3,500,000 has been allocated for the scheme. It is estimated to positively impact the attraction of more than 35,000 tourists with final figures being determined on the basis of the mix between 5*, 4* and 3* clients.

L’article Malta to pay tourists who visit the country this summer est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Can I travel to Malta?

Malta International Airport reopened on July 1, 2020 and commercial flights to and from Malta resumed from that date. Certain restrictions may apply, depending on whether the traveller is coming from a country that is included on the Green, Amber or Red list.

Green List

Travellers coming to Malta from the ‘Green List’ of safe countries will NOT be subjected to a swab test on arrival. There will only be thermal screening at the airport and persons arriving will be asked to fill a self-declaration form requesting information on their travels in the previous 30 days. Specifically, they will be asked to confirm that they have not travelled anywhere outside the safe countries listed.

At present, the following countries are on the ‘Green List’:

• Australia
• China
• Denmark
• Finland
• France (Ile-de-France)
• Germany (Baden-Wurttemberg)
• Greece (Attiki)
• Iceland
• Italy (Sicily and Sardegna)
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Portugal (Madeira, Azores)
• Rwanda
• South Korea
• Spain (Canarias)
• United Arab Emirates

Amber List

Passengers arriving from countries on the ‘Amber List’ are required to submit a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate before boarding flights to Malta. The swab test should be carried out within the previous 72 hours. For increased security, random swab tests may be conducted on passengers upon arrival at the Malta International Airport.

Update: With effect from midnight on Saturday 12th December 2020 the ‘Amber List’ was revised as per the below. Travellers arriving in Malta from any of these countries who fail to produce such a test may be submitted to testing in Malta and may be subject to quarantine.

At present, the following countries are on the ‘Amber List’:

• Andorra
• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Canada
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Estonia
• France  (all airports except Ile-de-France)
• Germany (all airports except Baden-Wurttemberg)
• Greece (all airports except Attiki)
• Hungary
• Indonesia
• Ireland
• Italy (all airports except Attiki)
• Japan
• Jordan
• Latvia
• Lebanon
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Monaco
• Morrocco
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal (all airports except Madeira, Azores)
• Romania
• San Marino
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain (all airports except Canarias)
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Thailand
• Tunisia
• Turkey
• United Kingdom
• Uruguay
• Vatican City

Red List

All countries not included on the Green List or Amber List are automatically included on the ‘Red List’. Passengers arriving from these countries must have spent at least the previous 14 days in one of the safe corridor countries before reaching Malta. It is also recommended that these passengers undertake a PCR test within 72 hours prior to arrival.

NOTE: Lists may be updated from time to time. Updated information can be found here

L’article Travel restrictions in brief: Malta 🇲🇹 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

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Then, little by little we started to be more careful when advising our students on their travel plans, quickly having to rule out coming to Malta via Spain (excluding a big share of flights from Latin America) to figure out a few days later that international travel would be stopped shortly. On March 21^st Malta closed down its airport – just in time for me to move during  the pandemic. Contingency plans had to be developed, with large cost-cutting measures that would allow us to weather the biggest crisis this century hitting the tourism and international study sectors. We are reassured for having created a lean start-up with few financial commitments, as we are able to maintain our operations for quite some time while searching for new income sources. 

I would also single out the following three aspects: 

• Firstly, the creation of outreach initiatives that have allowed us to build our brand and reputation while proudly being faithful to our mission of helping people make the most out of an international experience. We launched a free consultation on Covid-19 legal status and repatriation queries for Latin American students in Malta, as well as a mentoring programme to support young professionals in reaching their international aims. 
• Secondly, applying for Government Covid-19 support schemes, which go towards supporting wages, rent and utilities. Malta’s Covid-19 Government support package represents a whopping 22% of GDP, making Malta the world’s largest spender on Covid-19 relief measures in proportion to their GDP. 
• Thirdly, the creation of new partnerships and our commitment to establish ourselves as a recognized actor in the Maltese education sector. We have recently been granted a Ministry of Tourism compliance certification and just joined the Maltese Small and Medium Enterprises Chamber, which will strengthen our connection to local partners, opening new collaboration opportunities. 

The biggest test however has been the complete overhaul of our business plan and devising new income streams during the worst economic crisis since the 1930s Great Depression. This is particularly difficult considering the nature of our business depends on transatlantic travel, unlikely to resume before some time in 2021. The start-up nature of Boom Malta and its staff who is committed to success make this leap forward somewhat of an adventure and interesting challenge, a gamble that may well pay off. An important guide for us has been our company values, ethics and not losing sight of our mission to make people’s overseas experience as enjoyable as possible – which we can still do and has become more important in the context of Covid-19. While we cannot control the global economic or pandemic situation, every crisis has hidden opportunities and we intend to put everything at work to make the most of them. 

L’article Opening a company during COVID-19 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

As time passed and Covid-19 appeared increasingly frequently on the news, I started to get nervous. I was afraid I would not be able to move. I then decided to move in 72 hours. I have moved some 20 times in my life but never on such short notice. I managed to sell most of my furniture and my bike to some guy that had to go to Lille but could not go by train. I booked a plain ticket the day before Belgium locked down, arriving to Malta 3 days before the airport closed. Which is to say, I made it just in time.

Once I arrived in Malta, I had to do a 2-week mandatory quarantine. Malta never declared a lock-down, except for some 120,000 of its most vulnerable citizens and for people coming from abroad. Yet the island was quiet – people were simply being responsible. Except some bikers who decided to make the most of the reduced traffic by racing in the islands’ expressways. Upon arriving to the flat I had rented back in February, I was surprised to see a wonderful welcome basket from my landlord – needless to say none of my previous landlords had provided such a nice “attention”.

In those 2 weeks I managed to start getting things done to get my official residency and discovered a plethora of online services to deliver everything from food to DIY material. Most governmental services in Malta are accessible online and there is a centralised help centre to help you understand the country’s (somewhat complicated) bureaucracy. I also found out that despite the temperatures being mild during the day my flat was cold as soon as the sun dipped – part of me was missing the central heating from my Brussels flat.

Two weeks after arriving I could finally go out and explore. First thing I did was to go and get some 8 or 9 20-30kg boxes I had sent from Brussels through the post – they constituted, in fact, all my possessions. Every single one of them arrived, albeit some in poor state due to some very bad packing on my end. I also began discovering the different beaches and going to the sea almost daily.

In the meantime, I was following local news and was glad to have arrived in the European country that managed the Covid-19 crisis the best. With only 9 deceased for some 665 cases, Malta has fared extraordinarily well for a country with a large share of an older population. The secret to their success was the swift reaction of the authorities in closing the island, the isolation of most vulnerable people and the third highest rate of Covid-19 testing in the world. Malta also repatriated several thousand foreigners that were stranded. While “non-essential” shops were closed, some economic activities continued and people were always prompt to respect government directives related to Covid-19.

Support for businesses was quickly mobilised and consequential in terms of their size, representing some 22% of GDP and making Malta the world’s largest spender on Covid-19 relief measures in proportion to their GDP. This is crucial in a small island depending on tourism for 30% of its GDP and goes towards helping companies pay salaries, rent, tax relief…A few months after Covid-19 hit Malta and except for the ubiquitous face masks and hygienic gel, you would not know there has even been a pandemic.

I feel extremely lucky to have choose Malta as my destination, as my experience of moving during the pandemic would probably be different if I had decided to move to the UK or Brazil. I think the advantage of being a small island state is evident but should also serve as a lesson for the future: decisive action in early stages of a crisis as well as ambitiously responding to challenges raised are key to weathering an emergency and emerging relatively unscathed.

L’article Moving to Malta during the Covid-19 pandemic est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.