WASHINGTON: Valletta Cruise Port, a subsidiary of Global Ports Holding has been awarded the Best Terminal Operator Award by Cruise Insight, for the second consecutive year. This award recognises the flawless service delivered by the port, and the continued development and investment in its facilities in the last years. The award was presented to Valletta Cruise Port in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Valletta Cruise Port representatives along with other stakeholders were attending Seatrade Cruise Global 2017, the cruise industry’s most authoritative professional showcase. The event brings together the senior executives of cruise companies, tour operators, port agents, destinations, travel agents, press, suppliers and companies in the cruise industry.
“We are very excited to be receiving this award once again. We dedicate this award to all the personnel of Valletta Cruise Port, who together with local stakeholders, work relentlessly to ensure that Malta continues to excel as a destination. Excellent passenger satisfaction ratings and recognition for Valletta’s port services and the destination were repeatedly highlighted across all levels of senior management within the cruise lines during this year’s edition of Seatrade Cruise Global,” commented Stephen Xuereb, CEO of Valletta Cruise Port and COO of Global Ports Holding.
“There is only one thing that is better than getting the ‘Best Terminal Operator Award’, and that is getting it for the second consecutive year. It shows commitment to high standards of service and operational excellence. These are things we value highly at Global Ports and we make it a point to identify good practices, turn them into standards and apply them in all of our ports. That is how we learn from each other. Valletta is one of the best in both setting standards but also learning from others and I congratulate everyone on the team for this prestigious award and also for a record breaking year in 2016,” said Emre Sayin, CEO of Global Ports Holding. Minister for Tourism Edward Zammit Lewis commented, “During 2016, vessels entering our Grand Harbour carried nearly 683,000 passenger traffic, yet another record for the local cruise industry. This achievement was possible thanks to the synergy and effective co-operation between Government and Valletta Cruise Port. This determined effort led Valletta Cruise Port to attain the Best Terminal Operator Award. I take this occasion to congratulate Valletta Cruise Port for attaining this prestigious accolade in recognition of their firm commitment to consistently develop and expand Malta’s cruise-line industry.”
These results reflect the coordinated and collaborated drive amongst all stakeholders, with the Malta Cruise Network Forum having been re-established to bring together all players to ensure that Malta delivers efficiently, reliably and flexibly to the cruise lines and their passengers, while ensuring alignment among all parties involved. This year Valletta Cruise Port shall also be operating its second regular homeporting operation, with the prestigious P&O Oceana. Furthermore 2017 is the run-up year to Valletta 2018, where Valletta will hold the title of the European Capital of Culture, with the calendar of events adding exciting layers to what the destination already offers. Additionally, Valletta Cruise Port, together with the Valletta Waterfront outlets is organising a number of events on the Valletta Waterfront including the third edition of Colour Fest (21st April – 23rd April, 2017), October Ahoy! upcoming in October, and the annual Christmas and New Year’s festivities, amongst other planned activities.
