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Tourist arrivals exceed 2.8m in first 11 months of 2023 – NSO:
In November 2023, Malta experienced a notable surge in inbound tourism, with an estimated 217,487 visitors, marking a substantial 24.7% increase compared to the same month in 2022. Among these tourists, 189,607 visited for holiday purposes, while 21,953 came for business. The majority of inbound tourists fell within the 25-44 age group (41.7%), followed by the 45-64 age bracket (34.5%). Residents from the United Kingdom, Italy, and Germany constituted 40.4% of the total inbound tourist population. The total nights spent by tourists increased by 14.7% from November 2022, reaching almost 1.4 million nights. The majority of guest nights (86.9%) were spent in rented accommodation establishments, and the average length of stay for inbound tourists was 6.3 nights. Tourist expenditure demonstrated robust growth, exceeding €178.2 million, a substantial 23.6% increase compared to November 2022. The average expenditure per night for tourists was estimated at €129.0 during this period.
Edward Zammit Lewis to head parliament’s foreign and European affairs committee: Edward Zammit Lewis assumed the role of chair for the Parliamentary Foreign and European Affairs Committee, succeeding Glenn Bedingfield. Zammit Lewis was re-elected to parliament in 2022 without a Cabinet post. The change in committee leadership occurred as Bedingfield took on the role of parliamentary secretary for public cleansing, following his appointment by Prime Minister Robert Abela.
Change in gun legislation unnecessary, stakeholders insist in murder aftermath
Despite revelations of shortcomings in psychiatric screening highlighted by a murder case, stakeholders are resistant to any
changes in laws related to gun ownership. Lucas Micallef, the head of the hunting organization FKNK, disagreed with suggestions to amend gun laws, emphasizing that no alterations are needed. Similarly, Stephen Petroni, president of the Association of Maltese Arms Collectors and Shooters, shared the sentiment, although he called for increased enforcement. The resistance from these stakeholders comes in response to court testimony exposing how Noel Azzopardi, accused of murdering another
individual on New Year’s Day, managed to renew his shotgun license despite undergoing psychiatric
treatment. Azzopardi is not affiliated with FKNK.
Morning Briefing
Labour MEP Cutajar not to re-contest
Josianne Cutajar, a Labour MEP, has officially stated that she will not be contesting the upcoming European Parliament elections. The 34-year-old lawyer, elected in 2019, revealed that she has made a challenging and crucial decision in her life at this point, without providing further details. In a Facebook post , she expressed her pride in having represented the public after 12 years of public service, announcing her choice not to run for the European Parliament election. Cutajar is the second among Labour’s four MEPs to declare her decision not to seek re-election, following Alfred Sant’s confirmation that he will not be standing in the June elections. (TVM)
Two women recount story of abuse at Lourdes Home in Gozo
In a Constitutional case presided over by Judge Mark Simiana, two women who were residents of a Church-operated orphanage shared chilling accounts of sexual abuse by clergy and brutal beatings from nuns in court. The women provided their testimony on Monday, alleging that the State had taken no action to protect their rights or well-being during their time at the orphanage. Nuns at the Lourdes Home in Għajnsielem beat them for no reason, locked them up alone for days and forced them to live in fear, the women recounted, as they also shared chilling details of sexual abuse by priests. The case continues in March. (Maltatoday)
Uni exams might not be held unless industrial dispute solved – KSU
The University Students’ Council (KSU) has raised concerns that university exams might face postponement unless a resolution is reached in an ongoing industrial dispute. In protest, students plan to stage a walkout from lectures. The disagreement revolves around the university and non-academic staff, who are represented by the UĦM. The union has instructed its members to adhere to a work-to-rule approach due to delays in finalizing their collective agreement, placing blame on the university’s management and the Education Ministry. The union has also issued a set of directives, including refraining from communication, photocopying and event preparation. (Times of Malta)
