Malta and its strategic location in the Mediterranean made it a prime target for the Axis powers. In early 1942, the German Luftwaffe decided to concentrate on Malta and began a horrendous bombing attack. A handful of heroic British RAF pilots braved the odds and begin ferrying new Spitfire Mark VIs to help defend the island. Once there, their troubles began in earnest. Thus begins author Jack DuArtes fourth instalment in his World War II series, Malta, which, as the name suggests, focuses on the island and the saga that unfolded during those danger-fraught days. The book features incredible action over the skies of the Mediterranean and Sicily as well as the remarkable story of what Maltas defenders faced in their struggle. Malta was called -the most bombed place on earth- during this period and the peoples courage earned the country the George Cross by King George VI. DuArtes novel mirrors the lives of a number of these honoured British aviators as they battle heat, dirt and deplorable conditions to help save the vital island.

The New Year has heralded a new Air Malta in-flight magazine: Il-Bizzilla. The new monthly magazine has been re-designed in the new corporate identity and reflects the airlines new vision and identity of Flying the Pride of Malta. Commenting on the new magazine, Philip Saunders, Air Maltas Chief Commercial Officer said, As the ambassador and guide to all that Malta has to offer, Air Malta is delighted to launch Il-Bizzilla. Our new in-flight magazine will illustrate how the Maltese islands are blessed with a rich historical and cultural heritage and make our destination even more attractive for visitors. We have chosen Il-Bizzilla as the name for our inflight magazine to celebrate the Maltese language. Every month the magazine is jam-packed with a variety of articles on contemporary Maltese life, its people, places to visit, local cuisine, events, business, property, the latest Air Malta news and other interesting tips and facts that will assist visitors during their stay on the islands. Apart from a very interesting article on the lace-making tradition, the first edition contains other interesting features about Gozo, boating, Maltese lemons, il-Gardjola, rock climbing, the Hypogeum and the Ta Pinu church. The  in-flight magazine has a readership of approximately 1.7million every year. Complimentary copies of Il-Bizzilla are available onboard Air Malta flights.

A new documentary about Malta s bravery and suffering during the Second World War, 1939-1945, called The Battle for Malta, broadcast for the first time on BBC Two in the United Kingdom last week, is now available to watch on Youtube. A five-person crew, led by Bafta-nominated producer and director Aaron Young was in Malta with a team including historian James Holland (author of the book Fortress Malta) last year to shoot the documentary for Maya Vision International. The company has managed the Short Film Completion Fund on behalf of the UK Film Council’s New Cinema Fund since 2002. In Malta the team received assistance from the Malta Film Commission.The Battle For Malta HD - YouTube

The first edition of the Valletta International Baroque Festival will be held next year, from the 9th to the 26th January 2013.

International performing ensembles and orchestras which, are the top contemporary exponents across Europe will be taking part. A different concert will be performed every day throughout the two and a half week Festival within the natural historical backdrop of Valletta in venues such as the Teatru Manoel, The President’s Palace, St John’s Co-Cathedral and a number of other baroque churches and auberges.

Baroque festivals of this nature have a great international following especially in northern Europe where people travel extensively to attend.

All the information is available on the Festival’s official website www.vallettabaroquefestival.com.mt and bookings may be affected via this website.

You may also contact the Booking Office directly by email: bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt or telephone +356 2124 6389

Valletta, the capital city of Malta, was selected as the 2018 European Capital of Culture. The city, which is chosen by the European Commission, will, for the duration of a year, hold various events related to culture with a European dimension.

The 12 million euro Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal project is approaching completion after more than a decade of works. The passenger terminal is 90 per cent complete while 60 per cent of works on the surrounding site have been completed. Works on the Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal first started around 14 years ago and abandoned a couple of times since much to the dismay of commuters who did not have an adequate shelter from the elements.  The passenger terminal is scheduled for use later this year while the whole project is expected to be completed by January 2013. 

The Malta Tourism Authority was awarded one of the greatest accolades in the travel industry on Thursday night, picking up the award for Destination of the Year at the 2012 TTG Awards in a glittering ceremony in London's Leicester Square.
Judged by over 30,000 travel agents and an esteemed panel of industry experts from trade bodies, leading travel companies and the Institute of Travel and Tourism, as well as leading figures from the worlds of commerce and retail, the Destination of the Year award was given to the tourist board which judges deemed to have been most effective in engaging with the UK travel trade in the 12 months.
Malta beat off strong competition, winning out from a short list of some of the worlds most high profile destinations that included Tourism Australia, Barbados Tourism Authority, Dubai Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board, Jordan Tourism Board, Discover New England and Saint Lucia Tourist Board.