Malta Named Most Desirable Island In EU By Wanderlust Magazine

Nov 20 2024

The Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) proudly announces that Visit Malta has won two major UK awards, cementing its reputation as a leading travel destination.

At the 23rd Annual Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, Malta was named the “Most Desirable Island (Europe),” receiving Gold over Ireland and Madeira. This recognition followed 3.5 million votes from 168,000 Wanderlust readers and was presented on November 6 at London’s Tate Modern.

Hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall, the event highlighted destinations excelling in delivering exceptional travel experiences.

Tolene van der Merwe, MTA’s Director for the UK and Ireland, celebrated the achievement, calling it a testament to Malta’s unique appeal and memorable visitor experiences.

Additionally, Visit Malta received the “Aspire Inclusive Initiative of the Year Award” on October 9 in Manchester for its dedication to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

This award recognised Malta’s efforts to enhance accessibility and inclusivity, including hosting EuroPride 2023, sponsoring the Icons of Inclusion event, and improving facilities for visitors of all abilities.

MTA CEO Carlo Micallef highlighted that these awards reflect Malta’s commitment to excellence and inclusivity in tourism. Visit Malta continues to position itself as a premier destination, offering high-quality, diverse, and welcoming experiences for all travellers.

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Nintendo Wii Officially Turns 18 Years Old

Nov 20 2024

The Nintendo Wii marks its 18th anniversary, celebrating a legacy of reshaping the gaming world. Released on November 19, 2006, the Wii introduced motion-sensing controls, offering a unique, interactive gaming experience. This groundbreaking approach, coupled with iconic games like Wii Sports and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, helped make the Wii one of the best-selling consoles in history.

While the Wii U’s struggles followed the Wii’s success, the console’s innovative principles paved the way for the Nintendo Switch. Launched in 2017, the Switch built on the Wii’s design philosophy, prioritizing accessibility and affordability over cutting-edge graphics. Unlike its competitors, the Wii catered to all players—casual gamers, families, and even older adults—by focusing on easy-to-use controls. This broad appeal made gaming more inclusive, with titles like Wii Sports and Wii Fit drawing in new audiences.

Nintendo’s focus on accessible gaming experiences transformed video games from a niche hobby to a universal form of entertainment. The success of the Switch further proves the enduring influence of the Wii, which set a new standard for how gaming consoles could engage players of all types.

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85% Of Maltese Feel They Will Need To Move Due To Climate Change

Nov 20 2024

A survey by the European Investment Bank (EIB) reveals that Maltese citizens see climate change as the second-most pressing challenge facing their country, following the cost of living.

The survey, which included 24,000 participants across the EU and the United States, found that 99% of Maltese respondents recognised the urgent need for climate adaptation—five percentage points higher than the EU average.

Additionally, 77% viewed adaptation as a priority, significantly outpacing the EU average of 50%.

A notable 97% believed investing in climate adaptation could create jobs and boost the local economy, while the same percentage agreed that taking action now would prevent greater costs in the future.

Maltese respondents also stood out for their personal experiences with climate impacts. Almost all (99%) reported experiencing at least one extreme weather event in the last five years, such as heatwaves, coastal flooding, or heavy storms.

Over half had dealt with extreme heat, while others faced issues like power outages, health problems, and food supply disruptions.

The survey also found that 84% of Maltese citizens felt they might need to move due to climate vulnerabilities, compared to just 35% across the EU.

Despite these challenges, 91% of respondents felt informed about how to adapt their lifestyles, with most aware of available public subsidies for adaptation measures.

#MaltaDaily

Over 214 Trees In Msida Public Garden As Part Of Creek Project

Nov 20 2024

Updates in regards to the Msida Creek Project reveal that trees are being relocated to a green area under Regional Road in Msida.

This ‘enhanced space will offer a natural retreat’ in the locality, ‘where the Msida Creek Project will feature 5,200 square metres of landscaped areas, including a public garden with 214 trees and 17,000 shrubs.

Meanwhile, Infrastructure Malta also revealed the new pathways which are set to be dedicated for pedestrians in the project.

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