Tourism Ministry, Salesians sign agreement to promote religious tourism

An agreement was signed between the Tourism Ministry and the Salesian National Federation of Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco, through which there will be cooperation between the two to attract religious tourists to the country.

This agreement was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Tourism Ministry Ronald Mizzi, CEO of the Malta Tourism authority Johann Buttigieg and Bryan Magro on behalf of the Salesians, in the presence of tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo.

Through the agreement, the government will provide €200,000 so that the Salesians can conduct infrastructural work in a building that will house Catholic youths who choose Malta as a destination for their spiritual voyage.

The Salesians will also be given another €60,000 over five years to advertise Malta in the 230 different countries that Salesjani ta’ Don Bosco are represented in.

Mninister Bartolo said that this agreement will strengthen religious tourism on the island.

“We are looking at this tourism niche as one of the pillars on which we will build the tourism sector. I am sure that through this agreement, we will be getting good results for the country and I look ahead to implementing this agreement.”

A €5,000 sponsorship agreement has been signed between the Ministry for Inclusion and Social Wellbeing and The National Alliance for Rare Diseases Support NGO, Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli announced.

The President of the NGO is Michelle Muscat.

Through this financial support, the NGO will be able to participate actively in the UN’s Economic and Social Council, the minister said. “This financial support will help pay for the expenses related to participating in meetings, conferences, and any work needed for position papers through which the NGO will represent Malta and people who suffer from rare diseases.”

Minister Farrugia Portelli praised this NGO’s work to raise awareness on rare illnesses that are present in the country, and for the needed support to be delivered to those suffering from them.

President of the NGO Michelle Muscat said that as a national alliance “we are very pleased to have been chosen by the minister, who appreciated the work that the National Alliance for Rare Diseases Support does.”

In Malta, it is estimated that there are 27,000 individuals living with rare illnesses.