Maltese tourism blitz in Berlin

The Embassy of Malta in Berlin will be participating in a number of promotional activities in the German capital and surrounding areas over the next three months.

Most of the events centre round a number of summerfests, which are very popular all over Germany.

With the generous support of a good number of leading four- and five-star hotels in Malta and Gozo, the collaboration of airlines (Air Malta, Condor and Germania) operating from Germany to Malta, and the cooperation of the Malta Tourism Authority's office in Frankfurt, the embassy has been able to secure participation for Malta in a number of events, during which Malta's attractions as a holiday destination would be highlighted. Gozo is also being promoted as a distinct tourist location.

The first of the events took place on June 17 at the annual summerfest in Potsdam, where about 5,000 visitors were present. Malta was, for the fourth consecutive year, the only guest country at this event. The embassy made arrangements for an information/tourist stand displaying attractive tourist posters, tourist material and hotel and tourist brochures.

A documentary on Malta and Gozo was projected continuously on a TV screen. Maltese wine and Kinnie were served to the many guests, who included the Prime Minister of Brandenburg, Matthias Platzek, and the Interior Minister, Jörg Schönbohm. Late in the evening, just before a spectacular fireworks display, four star prizes (each comprising stays for two persons for one week in top hotels, including air return tickets) were drawn by Malta's ambassador, William C. Spiteri.

On June 19, the embassy also participated for the fourth time at the All Nations Open Doors Festival. About 3,000 visitors had an opportunity to visit the embassy between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., to have a facsimile "passport" stamped with a Malta "visa", watch a tourist film on Malta, view the various offices, receive general information on Malta, and participate in a Malta/Gozo Quiz with attractive prizes. A student attired as a Maltese Knight welcomed guests and offered them a taste of Kinnie and Maltese wine.

The embassy is now planning to participate in the Saarland Summer Fest, Discovery Days in Hanover, Brandenburg Day, and the summerfest of the North Rhine Westphalia region.