You May Soon Be Able To Visit A Minecraft Theme Park

Dec 2 2024

Minecraft, the world’s bestselling video game, is venturing into real-world experiences through a global partnership with Merlin Entertainments, Europe’s largest theme park operator.

This collaboration, called “Adventures Made Real,” will introduce Minecraft-themed rides, attractions, hotel rooms, and retail outlets, with the first attractions opening in the UK and US in 2026 and 2027.

Merlin, known for operating iconic locations like Legoland and Alton Towers, plans to invest over £85 million ($110 million) in the initial phase.

The partnership aims to expand globally, leveraging Minecraft’s massive digital presence of 140 million monthly players and Merlin’s physical footprint in 23 countries.

This move aligns with Merlin’s strategy of partnering with major intellectual property brands, following successful collaborations with Lego, Peppa Pig, and Jumanji.

Minecraft, which passed 300 million sales in 2022, continues to expand its brand with a film starring Jason Momoa and Jack Black set for release in 2025 and an upcoming Netflix series.

Merlin CEO Scott O’Neil highlighted Minecraft’s universal appeal, calling it one of the world’s biggest brands.

For Microsoft, which acquired Minecraft developer Mojang in 2014, this partnership is an opportunity to extend the game beyond its digital roots, combining their expertise with Merlin’s location-based innovations.

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Over 355,000 Tourists Visited Malta In October 2024

Dec 2 2024

In October 2024, Malta welcomed 355,561 inbound tourists, a 13.2% increase compared to October 2023. Most visitors (329,388) came for holidays, while 19,118 arrived for business.

Tourists aged 45-64 (35.6%) and 25-44 (35.5%) formed the largest groups, with British, Italian, and German visitors comprising 43.5% of arrivals.

Tourists spent over 2.2 million nights, a 7.3% rise from October 2023, with 87.1% staying in rented accommodations. The average stay was 6.2 nights.

Total tourist expenditure reached €356.5 million, up 18.4% from the previous year, with an average spend of €160.8 per night. Visits to Gozo and Comino accounted for 57.4% of all tourists, totaling 203,950.

For January-October 2024, inbound tourists increased by 19.4% to 3.1 million, with total nights spent rising 12.1% to nearly 20 million.

Expenditure during this period grew by 22.3% to €2.9 billion, with per capita spending increasing from €914 to €936.

Gozo and Comino attracted 1.83 million tourists over the year to date, representing 58.9% of total visitors. The data highlights Malta’s growing appeal as a travel destination, marked by significant increases in both visitor numbers and economic impact.

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Funds Raised For Malta Community Chest Fund In Santa Swim 2024

Dec 2 2024

In the 2024 edition of the Santa Swim 2024, participants jumped into cold water to raise funds for the Malta Community Chest Fund.

Her Excellency President Myriam Spiteri Debono visited the activity, organised by Grand Hotel Excelsior, which also saw a number of activities for families and even a waterpolo match.

‘In her message on the occasion, the President praised the organisers for organising this event for a number of consecutive years, as well as other sports entities, the Scouts Band and the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) Band for contributing to the activity.’

Participating in the fundraising event were Birzebbuga’s Aquatic Swim Club, facing the cold together for a very good cause.

Well done all!

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Get Into the Holiday Spirit with The Travellers’ ‘Il-Kunċertun tal-Milied’

Dec 2 2024

This holiday season, prepare for a Christmas experience filled with festive music, heartfelt laughter, and a touch of holiday magic as beloved local band The Travellers return with their all-new concert, Il-Kunċertun tal-Milied – Il-Pjan tal-Elfu! This unique show promises a night of live music and comedy, making it an unmissable family event.

The storyline centres around Santa Claus, who finds himself in a a festive crisis—he’s lost his Christmas cheer! Determined to help, his mischievous elves embark on a mission to introduce Santa to the fast-paced world of social media. As Santa tries to navigate hashtags, trends, and filters, he encounters plenty of hilarious mishaps. The question is: can he adapt to the digital age and rediscover the true spirit of Christmas?

Musical Highlights and More:

Live Performances by The Travellers: Fans can look forward to festive hits like “X’Inhu l-Milied Għalik?” and “Tridx Tkun Tiegħi Dan il-Milied,” plus a surprise performance of a brand-new, unreleased Christmas single.
Maltese Twist on Christmas Classics: Expect fresh takes on holiday favourites such as “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town,” each with a distinct Maltese flair.
Comedy and Audience Interaction: Produced by TakeTwo Productions, the show’s comedic narrative, interactive elements, and heartwarming moments make it a unique holiday treat for all ages.

Event Details:

Dates: December 20th and 21st (Doors open at 7:30 PM, show starts at 8:30 PM), and December 22nd (Doors open at 3:30 PM, show starts at 4:30 PM).
Location: St. Agatha’s Auditorium, Rabat

Mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate Christmas Maltese-style with The Travellers’ unforgettable holiday concert, where music and laughter come together to create a magical night. Tickets are expected to sell out fast, so don’t miss your chance to be part of the Christmas cheer!

Tickets from https://bit.ly/Kuncertun2024

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