Port Valletta further invests in developing projects to enhance Malta's appearance as a cruise travel destination.
Of note is the inauguration of a EUR 2 million (~USD 2,26 M) investment in unique canopy structures that respect the Valletta Waterfront promenade's 19 historical (270-year-old) warehouses built by Grand Master Pinto.
Minister Farrugia Portelli, accompanied by Johann Buttigieg (CEO of Malta Tourism Authority) visited the businesses along The Waterfront. Minister Portelli praised the way in which the Valletta Cruise Port's management had "turned a period of downtime into one which further strengthens the same business, whilst further improving the tourism product."
Portelli also commented that the determination shown in the situation created by COVID had prompted everyone involved to take up the challenge. The Minister added that since the location had passed into the hands of Valletta Cruise Port back in 2002, around EUR 30 million had been invested so that today the destination offered a welcoming first impression to the thousands of tourists who visited on cruise ships.
FY2019 was a record year for Malta's ship cruising industry with handled nearly 900,000 passengers - a 27% increase over 2018.
Valletta Cruise Port is expecting cruise ship calls to start in the next weeks.