Calling all runners, athletes, and running enthusiasts! Get ready to embark on an epic journey through 7000 years of history while enjoying the stunning Mediterranean coastline. The highly-anticipated third edition of the La Valette Marathon, a full or half marathon event, is set to take place on March 24, 2024, in Malta, often referred to as the ‘jewel of the Mediterranean.’
The La Valette Marathon by Corsa is not just a race; it’s an immersive experience that combines the thrill of running with a captivating journey through Malta’s rich cultural heritage. Runners will have the idyllic Mediterranean Sea on their left as they follow an entirely coastal route certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS). This Marathon allows participants to immerse themselves in this enchanting world while pursuing their passion for running.
With its 7000 years of history, Malta is like an open-air museum. The marathon route will take participants past medieval fortifications, and iconic landmarks, providing a unique opportunity to run alongside the island’s remarkable past. As runners navigate the coastal route, they’ll also be treated to breathtaking vistas of the Mediterranean Sea, its crystal-clear waters glistening under the Maltese sun. The scenic beauty of Malta will be their constant companion, with the added allure of delightful weather in March, boasting average temperatures of 17 degrees.
The La Valette Marathon offers options for both seasoned marathoners and those looking to conquer their first half marathon. Whether it’s 42 kilometres or 21 kilometres, participants will experience the magic of Malta. For those who are looking for a different challenge, the La Valette Marathon also caters for running teams interested in their Relay, and those who want to take in the views at a slower pace with their 21 kilometre Walkathon.
Beyond the race, the La Valette Marathon is a celebration of unity and spirit. Runners from diverse backgrounds will come together to share moments of triumph, forging connections that extend beyond the finish line.
Malta is the perfect setting for this extraordinary event. Its history, culture, and natural beauty make it a destination like no other. So, whether you’re a competitive marathoner, a casual runner, or simply an adventurer seeking a unique experience, mark your calendar for March 24, 2024, and join us in the heart of the Mediterranean for The La Valette Marathon. Head to www.lavalettemarathon.com to find out more and register for this unmissable event.
Esme Young, Fashion designer and TV Presenter of the BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee will be joining the Gibraltar Tourist Board at the World Travel Market STAND N4-502 2-4pm on Monday 6th November 2023, at the Excel Exhibition Centre, London, as part of the destination’s promotion of its International Literary Festival.
Ahead of her appearance at the ‘Gibunco Gibraltar International Literary Festival’, later in November, Esme will be available on the Gibraltar Tourist Board stand for interviews and photo opportunities and discussing her love of travel and promoting her new book “Behind the Seams: My Life in Creativity, Friendship and Adventure.”
The Tourist Board will be running a prize draw to win a signed copy of the book together with a 2 night stay at the Sunborn Hotel in Gibraltar.
Esme will be one of the headline speakers at this year’s festival which takes place in Gibraltar November 17th-20th . www.gibraltarliteraryfestival.com The festival has become a firm fixture in the destination and was developed alongside the team of the long established Oxford Literary Festival series.
Media requesting an interview with Esme should contact: Tracey.Poggio@gibraltar.gov.gi
For further information:
Tel: +44 (0)20 7836 0777
Note to Editors:
Esme Young:
Fashion designer and The Great British Sewing Bee judge Esme Young talks about a lifetime of sewing and designing that began in a squat with other young creatives and has lately seen her appearing in the BBC reality series.
Young tells how she made her way as a teenager to London, living in a squat and studying at Central St Martins. She launched a clothing line, Swanky Modes, watched Notting Hill Carnival with David Bowie and altered a dress for Cher. Young later moved into an international career in film, designing costumes for Trainspotting, Bridget Jones’s Diary and The Beach. Her work has featured in the likes of Vogue magazine. Since 2016, she has been a judge on the BBC reality series The Great British Sewing Bee, working with presenters Claudia Winkelman, Joe Lycett and Sara Pascoe.
The Phoenicia Malta ranks 3rd in Hotels, Central & Southern EuropeThe World’s Best Hotels, Cruises, Countries, Cities, Resorts, Trains, Airlines, Airports, Spas, Islands, Luggage, Villas, and Tour Operators.
Valletta, Oct. 3, 2023– Condé Nast Traveler today announced the results of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards with Phoenicia Malta recognised as one of the Top 3 Hotels in Central and Southern Europe.
More than 520,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers submitted responses rating their travel experiences across the globe to offer a comprehensive look at the places they eagerly anticipate revisiting. The Readers’ Choice Awards, with their unparalleled legacy as the travel industry’s longest-running and most prestigious accolades, remain the ultimate symbol and acknowledgment of excellence within the travelsector.
“We are deeply honoured to be included on this prestigious list, especially as it reflects the votes andfeedback of our guests. At The Phoenicia Malta, we take great pride in providing warm, personalised hospitality, and it’s truly a source of pride to see valued guests returning year after year. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our exceptional team, whose unwavering dedication ensures that we consistently fulfil The Phoenicia promise. I also want to extend my thanks to all our guests who continue to choose us as their preferred hotel in Malta. We look forward to welcoming you to The Phoenicia Malta soon,” said Mark Shaw, Owner of The Phoenicia Malta.
The Phoenicia Malta is a prestigious 5-star hotel set on the doorstep of Malta’s capital city Valletta,recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set amidst seven acres of landscaped gardens, the property is a distinguished member of The Leading Hotels of the World and offers 132 rooms and suites, an enchanting infinity pool, and the Phoenicia Spa & Wellness. Culinary delights abound with multiple dining options. The hotel also features an array of unique venues, perfect for hosting corporate and special occasion gatherings of all sizes. Whether travelling on business or leisure, The Phoenicia Malta stands as an unparalleled choice.
The 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards are published on Condé Nast Traveler’s website at cntraveler.com/rca and celebrated in the November issue
Following a conference in 2017 that confirmed the potential to re-introduce the Hermann’s Tortoise species back into Gibraltar, six adult individuals, three males and three females, have been released at Parson’s Lodge, part of the Gibraltar National Park, this month as a rewilding project that attempts to restore this species to Gibraltar. Wild rabbits and Iberian water frogs were also released, in a landmark event in the history of wildlife conservation in Gibraltar.
Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni) is a small to medium-sized species of tortoise belonging to the family Testudinidae and native to the Mediterranean regions of southern Europe. There are two recognised subspecies: the western Hermann’s tortoise (T. h. hermanni) and the eastern Hermann’s tortoise (T. h. boettgeri).
Hermann’s tortoises emerge from their nocturnal shelters in the undergrowth during the early morning to bask in the sun and warm their bodies. They then roam about the Mediterranean meadows of their habitat, foraging for wildflowers. Around noon, as the sun’s heat intensifies, they retreat to their shelters until the late afternoon as temperatures begin to cool again and resume feeding. They spend the relatively mild Mediterranean winters hibernating in their dug-out shelters. During this four to five-month period, their heartrate and breathing slow down considerably.
This species is in significant decline due to widespread habitat loss across much of its range, particularly in the western regions. As a result, its conservation status has been listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, though it is close to meeting the criteria for Vulnerable status.
Hermann’s tortoise was a natural species on the Rock, as evidenced by numerous finds of their remains in Pleistocene deposits at Gorham’s and Vanguard Caves and in the recently named Neanderthals’ Grotto. It is extinct on the Rock.
Haverfordwest Country AFC are pleased to confirm details of a new sponsorship agreement with Visit Malta.
VisitMalta plays a pivotal role in advancing Malta as a high-quality and sustainable tourism destination and plays a pivotal role in international marketing to entice potential visitors to choose Malta as their next holiday destination. VisitMalta’s mission is to showcase Malta’s captivating blend of history, culture, and natural beauty to the world, by effectively promoting Malta’s unique offerings and fostering a welcoming environment for visitors, continually inspiring travellers to choose Malta as their ideal holiday destination.
As part of this exciting sponsorship, VisitMalta will proudly sponsor two of the Bluebirds defenders, Luke Tabone and Oscar Borg, both of whom share a special connection with the captivating island nation.
Tabone linked up with the Bluebirds in the recent summer transfer window on a two-year deal, having played for Gzira United in the Maltese Pemier League. The 25-year-old was also part of the Maltese national team for their Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and North Macedonia in March. The towering centre-half has worn the captian’s armband in all seven of the league games to date, and has already made a big impression.
Borg, meanwhile, joined the club in the January window, and went on to become a regular fixture in the team which qualified for Europe, starting in all four legs of the matches with KF Shkendija and B36 Torshavn. The 26-year-old, who featured in the academy setups at West Ham United and Aston Villa, has a connection to the country through his family.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Haverfordwest County AFC and extend our support to such talented players with Maltese connections. This sponsorship aligns with our objectives to showcase the beauty and diversity of Malta as a destination” Tolene van der Merwe, Director UK & Ireland, VisitMalta.
“We’re really ecited to be working with VisitMalta and are proud that they have chosen to collaborate with Haverfordwest County. With both Luke Tabone and Oscar Borg having connections to Malta it feels like a perfect fit and a great way to promote the country as a fantastic destination” – Ben Tyler, Commercial & Marketing Director, Haverfordwest County
The European office of the Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) is capitalising on the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France to raise awareness of the destination amongst the travel trade and consumers, with three innovative campaigns running in England and France.
The tournament, which started on 08 September with the final on Sunday 15 October, see’s Samoa’s national rugby team, Manu Samoa, taking part and winning their first match on Saturday 16 September against Chile in Bordeaux 43:10.
Samoa Tourism kicked off with a digital campaign on 13 September running on screens across Toulouse, Bordeaux, St Etienne and Lille for a chance to win tickets to the Samoa Vs England game live on 07 October in Lille.
After spotting a screen people must scan a QR code, complete a form and follow @samoatoursim on Instagram or Facebook for the chance to win tickets. Winners will be announced on 06 October, with tickets emailed to the lucky rugby fans.
Samoa Tourism are also running a webinar in French: Beautiful Samoa – Le rugby a une addresse – for French and Belgian travel trade partners to learn more about this island paradise in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and also be in with a chance to win a ticket to the Samoa vs. England match in Lille.
This takes place on Tuesday 19 September at 10am (BST) or 11am (CEST), with a brief presentation, followed by a quiz to enter the prize draw.
The final campaign activity is an afternoon event for 50 travel agents and tour operators based in or around London, who are invited to join Samoa Tourism to watch Manu Samoa take on the Pumas from Argentina, in their second group match on Friday 22 September at the new sports bar in London’s Leicester Square, Clubhouse 5.
This will be an exhilarating game and afternoon which starts with a short destination update, followed by food and drink before the match starts at 4:45pm. Attendees will also be in with a chance to win iconic rugby jerseys and balls signed by Manu Samoa. For more information and to secure a ticket, travel agents and tour operators can click here.
Speaking about the campaign, Alison Cryer from Samoa Tourism Authority in the UK said: “The Rugby World Cup is an excellent opportunity for us to not only support our beloved, Manu Samoa, who are a long way from home and playing but also to raise awareness of this beautiful country in France and the UK.
“The campaign is designed to be fun and informative, as well as encourage people to engage in the spirit of this great tournament. There is also the unique chance to win tickets to the England Vs Samoa game in Lille which will no doubt be an unforgettable match no matter which team you support.”
For more information about Samoa Tourism click here
#DiscoverBeautiful #BeautifulSamoa #ManuSamoa #Rugby #RugbyWorldCup2023 #TravelTradePartnerships #Training #DigitalCampaign #BucketListDestination #RepPlusClient
The direct Brightline train service connecting Orlando International Airport to Greater Miami & Miami Beach will begin on 22 September 2023.
For a limited time, Brightline is offering one-way SMART fares starting at $79 for adults and $39 for kids. Groups of 4+ will automatically save an additional 25 percent on SMART fares. SMART service offers a comfortable business-class option onboard in hand-stitched leather seats, complimentary Starlink WiFi, multiple power and USB outlets and an array of food and beverages available for purchase.
One-way PREMIUM fares start at $149, a first class experience with added amenities including a dedicated PREMIUM lounge, priority boarding, checked luggage, and complimentary snacks and beverages throughout the journey.
PREMIUM booked guests also enjoy Brightline’s first and last-mile service to get to and from the station with complimentary Uber rides anywhere within a five mile radius in South Florida.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, has just granted its patronage to maltabiennale.art, which will be held in Malta for the first time in the coming year. UNESCO’s patronage is considered as a high form of recognition for this art festival, which while still in its infancy, has already garnered a strong and encouraging global response from artists, and is clearly set to become the focal cultural event of 2024 in Malta.
Through contemporary art, maltabiennale.art will be investigating the Mediterranean, reflected in the theme for the biennale’s first edition: Baħar Abjad Imsaġar taż-Żebbuġ (White Sea Olive Groves). The biennale will unfold across Malta and Gozo, mainly within Heritage Malta’s historic sites, many of which have been declared by UNESCO as being World Heritage Sites, including Valletta, the capital, and Gozo’s Ġgantija.
In her letter, UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay expressed how UNESCO’s aims are perfectly reflected in maltabiennale.art’ s dialogue between Mediterranean art and cultures, and how this led the organisation to grant its patronage to the maltabiennale.art 2024.
Her Excellency also congratulated maltabiennale.art’ s president, Mario Cutajar, as well as Heritage Malta for this initiative, and wished them the greatest success. The letter was delivered by Malta’s ambassador to UNESCO, Mgr. Joseph Vella Gauci.
maltabiennale.art 2024 will be opening its doors on the 11th March 2024, and will welcome visitors until the end of May 2024. With just one week remaining for artists to submit their proposals for participation in Malta’s largest cultural event in 2024, over 500 applications hailing from 80 states have already been received.
maltabiennale.art will be officially inaugurated by the President of Malta, his Excellency Dr
George Vella.
maltabiennale.art is a Heritage Malta initiative through MUŻA, the Malta National Community Art Museum, in partnership with Arts Council Malta. The biennale is also presented in cooperation with the Ministries for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government, and Gozo, as well as with Visit Malta, Spazju Kreattiv, Malta Libraries, and the Valletta Cultural Agency.
UK travel industry professionals including tour operators, travel agents and wholesalers with direct purchasing & contracting responsibility – time to register for Swedish Workshop UK, Visit Sweden’s premier event in Britain for Sweden! Register now!
Photo: Anna Hållams/imagebank.sweden.se
The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), inspired by Miami and Miami Beach’s vibrant culture, art, music and diverse neighbourhoods, unveils its new Find Your Miami and Miami Beach Find Your Wave multi-media marketing campaigns, welcoming travelers and meeting planners from all lifestyles to explore the diverse, hidden gems of Greater Miami and Miami Beach. When “no words” can describe the splendour of Greater Miami, the “Find Your Miami” campaign introduces a fresh, captivating concept centred around a creative fusion of unique words. The GMCVB also created the “Miami Beach Find Your Wave” track to leverage the unique leisure aspects of a beach destination as well as home to the Miami Beach Convention Centre.
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