Valletta Cruise Port has welcomed a record 900,000 cruise passenger movements, according to a press release.

A lucky recipient, who arrived in the Port of Valletta, operated by Global Ports Holding, aboard the MSC Grandiosa, was the designated 900,000th passenger and given the opportunity to return to Malta in the near future with a two-day break in Malta inclusive of flights for two persons, courtesy of the Malta Tourism Authority.

Throughout the couple’s stay, accommodation will be provided by The Victoria Hotel situated in the heart of Sliema, a classic hotel that honours the Victorian style but is also modern and sophisticated.

Stephen Xuereb, CEO of Valletta Cruise Port and COO of Global Ports Holding said: “This is indeed a momentous day. We are celebrating an exceptional year for Valletta Cruise Port culminating in a record number of cruise passenger movements, with over 900,000 passenger movements passing through our terminals within year-end. Together with local stakeholders we have worked relentlessly towards achieving this target and to ensure its sustainability in the future. Our focus remains to deliver a quality product and an excellent service coupled with strategic planning.”

“Cruise lines and their passengers often describe Malta’s Grand Harbour as one of the most beautiful ports in the world and this is possibly the best introduction that first-time visitors to our Islands can enjoy to Malta’s rich history and heritage. The Malta Tourism Authority is very pleased with the results being achieved in the cruise sector, a sector that is very important to the economy of Valletta especially and also to a wide range of tourism service providers. In addition to the direct benefits of spend by cruise visitors in our Islands, surveys confirm that a high percentage of those that visit Malta for the first time on a cruise ship, often return to our Islands for a holiday within two or three years of first visit.” said Carlo Micallef, Deputy CEO and Chief Marketing Officer of the Malta Tourism Authority.

Valletta said it predicts 906,000 passengers for 2019 and 373 calls. Homeport calls are up 31 percent in 2019, the port said. 

2020 will see the port start work on Quays Pinto 4-5 in November, which will eliminate the usage for spacer barges at those quays.

The Valletta Cruise Port is also in the process of implementing an Environmental Risk Management System (ERMS). The environmental and conservation policy is in compliance with ISO 14001:2015, a baseline requirement for almost all national and international “green port” accreditations.