Cruise line to use Malta as home port

An agreement was reached with Star Cruise for the line to use Malta as a home port next year and Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech has described the development as an important breakthrough.

The cruise liner Super Star Libra, owned by Star Cruises, a leading line in Malaysia, will be based in Malta between June and October for cruises that will start and finish in Valletta.

The cruise liner, represented in Malta by SMS Ltd, will operate 17 cruises with Malta as a base port.

Dr Zammit Dimech said the agreement could only come about after the Malta Tourism Authority gave its full support in favour of the initiative. Speaking during a visit to the Malta Stand at the World Travel Market in London, the minister announced that the MTA has reached an agreement for Malta to host the P1 Powerboat racing events for the next three years, following the success achieved over the last two.

The 2006 Powerboat P1 Grand Prix of Malta will be held on May 12, 13 and 14.

During his visit to London, Dr Zammit Dimech called on the Prince of Wales. They discussed the principles of sustainable and integrated development being adopted in Poundbury, Dorset along the lines championed by the Prince, and how these principles could be applied to a public private partnership project in Malta.

The meeting was held at Clarence House in London.