New countryside walk launched

The Malta Tourism Authority's product planning and development directorate yesterday launched a new walk in its series of countryside walks introduced at the beginning of the year.

The Marfa Ridge countryside circuit walk is four-and-a-half to five hours long.

To launch the walk, 30 tourist guides who are currently participating in a Continuing Professional Development Programme were yesterday taken on a familiarisation visit.

The authority has another five walks - three in Malta and two in Gozo. The walks in Malta are at Girgenti, Bahrija and Dwejra Lines, and those in Gozo at ta' Gurdan and Dahlet Qorrot.

The MTA has published information booklets about each walk. The booklets, which cost Lm1 each, include informative text and a map, making the publications very user-friendly.

These booklets are being distributed to promote countryside walks in overseas fairs to "sell" Malta and Gozo as walking destinations.

They are also available from leading bookshops and souvenir shops.

The spokesman said tourists had complimented the MTA on its booklets but had at times also complained about the state of the countryside.

The MTA, the spokesman said, was working on this with local councils and the Works Division. The latter were giving their assistance by carrying out general maintenance works along the routes.

The authority was also supporting the effort with promotion.

Meanwhile, a new initiative, the Visit Malta Tourist Bus, using old Maltese buses, offers a hop-on, hop-off service stopping at the popular attractions and other lesser known ones. This service is being offered by the Malta Transport Authority and is supported by the MTA.