1,039,848 Guests Stayed In Malta In First 6 Months Of 2023

Aug 24 2023

During the second quarter of 2023, the majority of guest nights were registered in 4-star hotels, accounting for 46.9% of the overall total.

In the initial half of 2023, the total number of guests reached 1,039,848, marking a significant rise of 35.0% compared to the same period in 2022. Concurrently, the cumulative nights spent increased by 30.5%, reaching a total of 4,316,202 nights.

The utilization of bed-places also saw a notable rise, surging by 12.5 percentage points to reach 57.2%.

The average duration of stay in collective accommodation establishments during the second quarter of 2023 decreased to 4.2 nights, in contrast to the figures recorded in the same quarter of the preceding year.

Meanwhile, the net utilization of bed-places rose to 68.4%, marking an increase of 9.7 percentage points compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

Nationally, in June 2023, there were 269 active collective accommodation establishments, boasting a combined net capacity of 19,016 bedrooms and 43,555 bed-places.

At the regional level, total guests in Malta reached 601,680, representing a 22.4% surge over the second quarter of 2022. Likewise, the number of nights spent in accommodations increased by 16.9%, tallying at 2,572,748 nights. Additionally, total guests in Gozo and Comino increased by 15.7%, reaching 29,179, while nights spent increased by 17.4% to 84,004.

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Outrage After Taxi Driver Assaulted Brutally By Y-Plate Driver

Aug 24 2023

Anthony Spiteri, a 65-year-old taxi driver in Malta, was brutally attacked by a competitor in an unprovoked incident. Spiteri, while attending to his clients at the Ċirkewwa area, was punched in the head by a Y-plate driver, leaving him knocked out and covered in blood.

He recounted the incident, noting that the aggressor verbally abused him without reason, and upon attempting to defend himself and take a photo, he was attacked physically.

Spiteri compared the aggressor to “Cassius Clay” (Muhammad Ali) due to his formidable size and strength.

Following the attack, Spiteri was taken to the hospital, where he received treatment for his injuries including a swollen nose and eyes.

The police confirmed the incident and are investigating to identify the assailant. The Light Passenger Operators Association (LPOA) and the General Workers Union condemned the attack, urging authorities to bring the perpetrator to justice.

Spiteri expressed hope that action would be taken against the aggressor, emphasizing that such violence is unacceptable, and that he did not expect to face such danger while simply working as a taxi driver.

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Photo Source: Johannes Gauci

15 Year Old Boy Hit By Car In Marsaskala Grievously Injured

Aug 24 2023

Yesterday evening, at around 1900hrs, police were informed of a traffic accident which took place in Triq is-Salini, Marsaskala.

Preliminary investigations showed that a 15 year old boy resident of St Paul’s Bay had been hit by a Citroen C1 driven by a 21 year old woman resident of Żurrieq.

The victim was given preliminary aid on site and taken to Mater Dei Hospital, where he was certified as having suffered grievous injuries.

Police investigations are still ongoing.

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Neighbourhood Watch Programme Launched In Marsa

Aug 24 2023

The Malta Police Force has officially launched the Neighbourhood Watch Programme in Marsa.

‘The programme is coordinated by the Malta Police Marsa Community Policing Team in key streets and is planned to expand to other areas of Marsa. Neighbourhood Watch has already proven successful in other localities such as Mellieha, Wardija, Iklin, Madliena and Marsaxlokk.’

‘This initiative aims to foster a strong sense of community and cooperation between the residents and the police. We encourage the residents of these selected streets to actively participate and provide extra assistance to our officers as part of this project.’

‘Together, we can make a significant difference in ensuring the safety and security of our neighbourhood.

In order to streamline communication, the Neighbourhood Watch program assigns a dedicated coordinator to each area, ensuring smooth interaction among members through a dedicate WhatsApp chat and regular monthly meetings.’

‘These channels serve as effective platforms for the community to report any concerns or incidents, while also allowing the neighbourhood police officer to offer feedback and updates in response.’

#MaltaDaily