708,388 passengers moved through Malta’s airport in April

May 10 2023

According to newly released statistics by the Malta International Airport, 708,388 passengers moved through the island’s only airport last April.

This marked an increase of 8.4% over 2019 levels, with the total boosted by the launch of the airport’s new summer schedule and the Easter holidays.

The 700,000 passenger mark was reached earlier than expected, airport communications express, with Easter weekend, 7 to 10 April, being the busiest weekend.

The aforementioned saw 98,449 passengers moving through the airport. This comes after an increase of 6.8% over 2019 in seat capacity deployed on flights to/from Malta.

The top driver of passenger traffic for April was deemed to be the Italian Market, followed by the UK, France and Germany. Spain also made a comeback to 5th place after an absence of six months on the leaderboard.

#MaltaDaily

Award-winning chef Giada De Laurentiis tries Maltese dishes during trip

May 9 2023

As revealed on her own Instagram, Emmy Award-winning chef and Food Network personality Giada De Laurentiis is currently in Malta, and she couldn’t resist trying some of Malta’s finest dishes.

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A post shared by Giada DeLaurentiis (@giadadelaurentiis)

Sharing a few pastizzi with her fellow travel mates whilst also trying some of the island’s finest cakes from Fontanella in Imdina, De Laurentiis caught a glimpse of some iconic Maltese sights, including the views at Valletta, where the Oceania Vista cruise ship is docked.

De Laurentiis had been chosen as the godmother of the Oceania Cruises vessel, which explains the chef’s Oceania Cruises jacket in her pastizzi taste test clip.

Which Maltese disk could she try next?

#MaltaDaily

Educators discuss the use of AI and games in teaching at Valletta symposium

Educators! Get one step ahead on Games & AI in education at this FREE conference

May 9 2023

As the technological world continues to bloom before our very eyes, groundbreaking steps are being made in virtually every sector of human life and the education sector is no exception… which is why exactly why events like Transform-Ed are absolutely necessary.

In 2023, the application of digital & non-digital games, together with the appropriate use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, have become quite the trending topic. For that reason, the European Commission Representation in Malta is currently holding a training symposium bringing together educators with expert trainers, thought leaders and industry players both large and small to learn, share and network on the future of education in Europe.

Transform-Ed is taking place in Valletta between May 8 – 10, offering educators the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the future of education in Europe. The importance of games as a tool in education and imminent practicality of AI are undoubtable, and this ongoing symposium is the perfect opportunity for educators to explore their ethical & practical implications.

At Transform-Ed, educators learn about best practices alongside thought leaders and industry players dedicated to providing innovative experiences to students around the world through games and/or AI in all their forms. Such an event is exactly what the education sector needed to plan the way ahead.

The three-day symposium kicked off with a welcome speech by Equality Commissioner Helena Dalli, together with a panel discussion from Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, Carm Cachia, Grazio Grixti and Ivan Filletti, as well as three riveting presentations by Alexander Pfeiffer, Tammie Schrader & Alex Grech.

With a host of insightful guest speakers and a crowd educators from all across Europe, check out the European Commission Representation in Malta’s socials or https://transform-ed.eu/ for more info!

#MaltaDaily

Tax department to introduce AI alert for evasion detection

May 9 2023

Speaking during a press conference, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana announced that the tax department will be introducing a new software which automatically alerts authorities over tax evasion and other possible fraud.

The software is already utilised in countries like the Netherlands, Canada and the UK, and will be analysing VAT returns by the end of this year as well as other forms of taxes within the next three years.

The software essentially analyses people and companies’ wealth daily and matches it up with declared income.

The government will cost the government €3 million and is among a series of measures announced in a new tax and customs administration strategy.

The statistical analysis system (SAS) uses AI to draw data from different registries and bank accounts to assess cash deposits and illiquid assets like property, land, vehicles and boats.

During the press conference, Minister Caruana said that this marks the beginning of a much needed culture change and this system will condense work which usually takes weeks and months.

Addressing possible critique, the minister said that he is not in favour of crony capitalism and that he wants to foster an economy that awards creativity, equity and perseverance over exclusivity, power and inequality.

#MaltaDaily