‘Bormla and its Tourism Potential’ is a new Malta Tourism Observatory publication that showcases Bormla’s historical and cultural splendour, while highlighting this city’s immense potential for sustainable, value-added tourism experiences.
Penned by Professor Godfrey Baldacchino, Engineer Paul R. Micallef, and Dr John Vella, the book was launched by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Ian Borg, at the Bormla Local Council, on Friday afternoon. It is the latest in a series of publications by the Malta Tourism Observatory, within the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA), aimed at guiding industry players towards smarter, more resilient and higher quality tourism development.
“This publication contributes to our strategic effort to valorise, preserve and elevate the unique narratives and cultures of our localities and communities, as we incorporate them in our diversified tourism offering, creating authentic and memorable visitor experiences. We stand ready to continue helping local councils and other stakeholders in the development of such high-value tourism initiatives,” Dr Borg said.
The three authors, who all have a connection with Bormla, delve into various subjects, including why Bormla deserves to be better known, religion and pilgrimages in the city, its street niches and monuments, its military heritage and other cultural, social, and industrial aspects. The book also includes a chapter with residents’ recommendations on the future of tourism in the locality, as well as a map, a treasure hunt and walking routes that help familiarise readers with the locality.
Bormla Mayor Marco Agius noted that “this publication marks an important moment for Bormla, as academics are recognising Bormla’s potential as a tourist destination. This places more responsibility on the Local Council to work even harder to continue enhancing all that Bormla has to offer.”
Carlo Micallef, Chair of the Observatory and the Chief Executive Officer of the MTA, lauded the Observatory for this initiative. “Publications like this show very clearly that Malta possesses numerous localities full of tourism potential, such as Bormla, which have the opportunity to tap into the industry in a sustainable manner,” he said
MTA Deputy Chief Executive Officer and the editor of the Observatory’s series of publications Leslie Vella explained that limited printed editions of ‘Bormla and its Tourism Potential’ will be distributed to libraries and offices directly related to the subject. The book, and other publications in this series, can also be downloaded free of charge from the Observatory’s website – https://www.mtobservatory.org/reports-resources
Member of Parliament Chris Agius, from Bormla, the Archpriest of Bormla Canon Anton Cassar, local councillors and other distinguished guests from the locality, as well as the Malta Tourism Observatory board members and MTA officials also participated in the book launch.
Photo: DOI/MFT
