Tourism Minister launches ‘Shipwreck’ in Birkirkara

Tourism Minister Zammit Lewis launched a project entitled ‘Shipwreck’ earlier today. The project consists of a film that concerns a unique and treasure memory in the Maltese psyche, St. Paul’s shipwreck.

“This project cost more than €376,000, and 50% of the project was co-financed by the EU under a scheme for sustainable tourism which was enacted by the Ministry for tourism,” Zammit Lewis said.

He also explained that the scheme was financed by the European Regional Fund: ‘Europe invests in your future’.

“We will strengthen our cultural religious heritage with this investment, a heritage which is already very rich in Malta with around 365 churches and chapels riddled with artistic masterpieces and architecture by internationally acclaimed architects.”

Zammit Lewis added that projects like these are cultural, religious and social and traditional, as they look at Maltese life and explore one of the most crucial events in our history.

 “Religion is one of the strongest attractions for tourists with 0.4% of visitors in 2013 indicating religion or pilgrimages as their reason for visiting the country, as well as 65.8% of visitors who visited a church or chapel during their visit,” said Zammit Lewis.

Zammit Lewis also stressed the importance of this project taking place in Birkirkara, a city not normally associated to tourism: “The government is working to strengthen and expand touristic zones. This work aims to increase income from tourism which will ultimately benefit the whole country.”