Easing travel to Malta from South Africa
We are keen readers of timesofmalta.com who follow it on a regular basis from Cape Town, in South Africa.
We have an apartment in Bel Monte Height, Sliema, which we used to visit once a year since 2011 and we consider beautiful Malta our home away from home.
Our children live in England and we are expecting our first grandchild this week.
The COVID-19 pandemic has put a stop to our routine and South Africa is considered to be on the red country category, in spite of the official statistics showing that we are, in fact, in a much better condition than amber countries like Turkey and Greece.
Gozo mayors take concerns on overdevelopment to parliament: It s an unprecedented onslaught
Gozitan affairs parliamentary committee hears mayors’ concerns on overdevelopment • Last year, PA approved 1,314 permits for development in Gozo
10 May 2021, 6:23pm
by Kurt Sansone
Gozo regional president Samuel Azzopardi raised the alarm during a meeting of parliament’s Gozitan affairs committee.
Azzopardi said that in 2020 the Planning Authority approved 1,314 permits for development in Gozo, almost double the number of permits approved four years earlier.
He said that 223 of the permits approved last year were in ODZ areas.
Azzopardi and two other Gozitan mayors presented several proposals to control development in Gozo and respect the urban streetscape of villages.
“We are looking forward to building relationships with tour operators and travel agents from the touring and adventure travel sector and enjoy finding innovative ways to work with the trade to share Malta, Gozo and Comino with more travellers.”
She said more than 600,000 people visited from the UK in 2019 and the island attracts a range of age groups.
During the course of the pandemic, the tourism sector on the island invested in its hotels, restaurants and experiences.
The tourist office has already started to advertise to the over-50s, as they are the first cohort to be vaccinated, and couples, families and young adults will follow.
Mamata’s Bengal victory buoys Opposition
Giant slayer Mamata Banerjee - PTI×
The bitterly fought elections gives a glimmer of hope to other Opposition parties of defeating the BJP
The unbelievable and convincing victory that Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee pulled off in West Bengal, annihilating the full force of the BJP election machinery is as amazing as heroic. She braved large-scale TMC defections, mudslinging and unprecedented attacks bordering on misogyny, and emerged triumphant to become a third term CM, despite herself losing at Nandigram. Unfortunately, the attacks on her were led by the Prime Minister himself, pandering to the gallery, with his taunts of
May 10th 2021, 9:00
Malta will reopen on June 1st and we are looking forward to welcoming couples to our picturesque shores once again to explore more.
The serene archipelago presents a stunning array of backdrops; gentle sapphire waves kiss beautiful beaches, elegant winding streets lead to impressive Baroque structures and country roads open up to inviting wineries. The Maltese Islands are alive with colours, sounds and flavours providing the perfect Mediterranean atmosphere for eating alfresco and experiencing one of five Michelin Star restaurants.
Malta, Gozo and Comino are the perfect destination for adventure seekers too and boast an abundance of activities from scuba diving and kayaking to quad biking and rock climbing.