The 10th edition of the Air Malta International Travel Exhibition (AMITEX) was officially launched during a…
The 10th edition of the Air Malta International Travel Exhibition (AMITEX) was officially launched during a press conference addressed by Mr John Saliba, Group Head Marketing & PR, Mr Martin Rossignaud, Group Head Commercial and by Mr Joe Azzopardi, President Malta Association of Travel Agents (MATA). This year`s travel fair, appropriately dubbed, `Ten Years of Travel Opportunities`, will be held at the Trade Fair Grounds in Naxxar between March 28 and 30.
Mr Saliba remarked that AMITEX 2003 is expected to be the climax of 10years of service to the local travelling industry and travellers in general, particularly the outgoing market. This is considered a special edition, as it will mark ten years of offering the Maltese public a wide range of travel opportunities, he said.
AMITEX has continuously grown. This year there the fair has thirty-nine local exhibitors and forty-two foreign participants.
As in previous editions AMITEX will be displaying a wide range of travel-related services, offering the general public a comprehensive array of opportunities under one roof to plan one`s holidays and travel requirements with the maximum efficiency.
Mr Saliba added that since its inception in 1994, AMITEX has provided the ideal showcase for the local and foreign travel industry to present its services and travel opportunities to the Maltese travelling public and has also served to provide a constructive ground for discussion between the travel trade. The fair has served to improve incoming and outgoing tourism and to enhance and further develop tourism products.
Mr Rossignaud announced that Air Malta will be adding five new routes on its summer 2003 flight schedule, just issued. The new routes are St Petersburg, Madrid, Helsinki, Bucharest and Porto. The schedule, he added, covers the period from 30 March to 25 October 2003, contains flight details of the 46 destinations to which Air Malta will be operating this summer. Through the extension of the present network the travelling public will be offered a wider choice of destinations, most of which offer different cultural and leisure experiences, in addition to those available on the established routes.
He said that to stimulate outgoing tourism Air Malta will make available a number of special offers and will issue special Flyaway Tours packages this summer.
Mr Azzopardi spoke about the cooperation that exists between MATA and Air Malta and how AMITEX, over the years has contributed to the increase in outgoing tourism.
local and foreign entertainment
Synonymous with AMITEX is the full programme of local and foreign entertainment, with the latter brought over to Malta from various Flyaway Tour destinations. This year is the second edition of the International Folk Festival where the eight foreign animation groups will be taking part in a competition judged by local and foreign judges.
The first edition last year proved a successful event due to the groups participating and the outstanding response from the visiting public. This festival will be held under the auspices of the International Organisation of Folk Art (IOV for Internationale Organisation fur Volkskunst). This year animation groups present will come from Turkey, Russia, Czech Republic, Nigeria, Italy, Bulgaria, Greece, and Cyprus. After parading along the streets of Valletta on the morning of Friday 28th March the foreign animation teams will also visit his Excellency the President of Malta, Prof. Guido de Marco.
In coordination with the organising committee of the Song for Europe Festival, of which Air Malta is the main official sponsor, visitors to the fair will also be able to meet Lyn Chircop, who will be performing on Saturday 29th March. Mike Spiteri and Friends will perform during on the last day of the fair at 1900hrs for the AMITEX 2003 Grand Finale.
The Air Malta stand at AMITEX this year will largely be featuring the airline`s newly-revamped website, www.airmalta.com , with all the useful information that can be gleaned from it in the comfort of one`s home.
With the AMITEX fair entrance tickets one can also win
- Holiday for two for one week to Malaysia, including air tickets and accommodation
- Two Air Malta tickets to Milan together with transfers and Bed and Breakfast accommodation for two in Livigno for 7 nights
- One Air Malta ticket to Rome including accommodation on Bed and Breakfast in Tuscany for 7 nights
- Weekend break for two on Half Board basis at the Grand Hotel Mercure Coralia Selmun Palace
- Two nights accommodation for two in a double sea-view executive room on Bed and Breakfast basis at the Hilton Malta
- Two return tickets to Sicily by Catamaran
- A Sunday Buffet lunch for two at the Grand Hotel Mercure Coralia Selmun Palace
AMITEX will be officially opened by the <>BMinister for Economic Service, Prof. Josef Bonnici and by the Minister for Tourism Dr. Michael Refalo after a welcome speech by Mr Louis Grech, Air Malta`s Chairman. The fair will be officially inaugurated on Friday 28th March at 1030hrs.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
