Malta premier announces cruise intentions
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Malta’s prime minister Joseph Muscat has given his support to the cruise industry at European Maritime Day, an event jointly hosted by CLIA Europe and Valetta Cruise Port.
Malta has seen around EUR372 million in direct expenditure from the cruise industry between 2006-2011.
Commenting on the current state of the Maltese cruise industry, Muscat said: “Malta invested heavily in the cruise industry, creating direct and indirect job opportunities for the island. Throughout recent years, Malta has experienced continuous growth in this sector and the investment is now bearing its fruit. The Maltese government is committed to continue investing in the industry in line with its policy for economic growth.”
The government is also in talks to build a terminal at Gozo, according to reports made by Malta Today and is on the verge of launching an international expression of interest to secure funds.
“We are certain that Gozo will provide not only an excellent business opportunity but also a vibrant new destination for the mainstream cruise liner industry,” Muscat told European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs Maria Damanki.
Robert Ashdown, secretary general of CLIA Europe, representing the European cruise industry said: “As the new secretary general of CLIA Europe I am committed to working with the Port of Valletta and the Prime Minister of Malta, Dr. Joseph Muscat, to finding ways to maximize the potential of Europe’s maritime heritage. We agreed to work together to facilitate the sustainable growth of the cruise industry in Europe, which will boost cruising in the Mediterranean and bring further benefits to Malta.”
