Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1523374
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 30 JUNE 2024 11 COMMERCIAL Explora Journeys: Ocean state of mind EXPLORA Journeys is a new luxury lifestyle travel brand with a unique proposition, connecting travellers with the ocean, themselves and their environments. EXPLORA Journeys stems from the long-held vision of the Aponte family to redefine the ocean experience and cre- ate a category of its own. The brand's vision is to offer guests a chance to experience an "Ocean State of Mind" – the way the compnay refers to the mindset that can be achieved when we escape to the ocean, relax, create memories, and reconnect with what matters most in our lives. One currently sailing and two of which are already un- der construction, will be cre- ated under the Explora Jour- neys brand from 2023 to 2028. Destination experiences Explora Journeys offers the perfect blend of celebrat- ed destinations and less- er-known off the beaten path locations, focusing on a slow- er pace, spending more time in each destination, to ensure guests can feel fully exhilarat- ed and get under the skin of the local culture and environ- ment, whilst not leaving their mark on the destination. Up to 6 luxury cruise ships built by fincantieri in Italy The European family roots and sense of style informs an intuitive appreciation of de- sign and luxury, which Explo- ra Journeys embodies through its modern, cosmopolitan, boutique hotel vibe – vibrant, yet intimate. Explora Journeys engaged Martin Francis, the accom- plished British designer and architect with decades of ex- perience working on some of the most iconic yachts on the water as part of the design team, to ensure the exterior profile of the Explora Jour- neys' ships are more aligned to a superyacht than a tradi- tional cruise ship. Other designers include SMC Design, AD Associ- ates and De Jorio Luxury and Yacht Projects, who have worked with the Aponte Vago family for many years. BOV directors and executives pay courtesy visit to the President of malta BANK of Valletta's Chairman Dr Gordon Cordina, CEO Ken- neth Farrugia, Directors and Executive Committee mem- bers paid a courtesy visit to H.E. Myriam Spiteri Debono at Sant'Anton Palace in Attard. The first visit by the Bank since the appointment of H.E. Spi- teri Debono as Head of State served as an occasion to renew and strengthen the ties between Bank of Valletta and the Office of the President, with which the Bank crosses paths on several occasions during the year thanks to a number of collaborative in- itiatives. Bank of Valletta is re- nowned for its support to The Malta Community Chest Fund through the L-Istrina BOV Piggy Bank Campaign which this year sees its 21st consecutive edition, as well as to various other initi- atives undertaken in aid of L-Is- trina which the Bank proudly supports. During the visit, Dr Gordon Cordina stressed the important role that Bank of Valletta plays in the Maltese economy. "Con- sidering the size of the Bank's market share, and its direct rela- tionship with the local economy, Bank of Valletta is considered to be of systemic importance, directly supervised by the Euro- pean Central Bank, with oner- ous obligations and expectations from a regulatory perspective. This systemic relevance also places a significant responsibili- ty upon us to support society at large and the various commu- nities we serve, be them either personal or business. Fostering our ties with the Office of the President will also help us in be- ing a truly responsible corporate citizen, as we align some of our activities with those of the Office of the President in helping trans- form Malta's future." Corroborating the Chairman's comments, Kenneth Farrugia highlighted the Bank's commit- ment to society through its ex- tensive Community Programme. "This year marks a significant milestone for BOV as we are cel- ebrating 50 years since we first started serving customers. We are commemorating this anni- versary in several ways, but one important aspect is through ma- jor CSR projects that we imple- ment during the year. It is worth mentioning that the Bank has been acting as a responsible citi- zen since its foundation 50 years ago, and a true testament to this is our collaboration with the Malta Community Chest Fund with whom we have been work- ing closely for decades. Last year alone, BOV helped raise over €53,000 from the L-Istrina BOV Piggy Bank Campaign, while col- lectively, through this campaign and other donations made by the Bank over the years, over €3 mil- lion were donated to L-Istrina. The invaluable work that the Of- fice of the President carries out as part of its nationwide duties, fills us with the additional drive to serve our communities better, both through financial servic- es and philanthropic activities that benefit society and those in need." Her Excellency Myriam Spiteri Debono welcomed the courte- sy visit by the BOV's CEO, the Chairman, the Directors the Executive Committee and the Corporate Social Responsibili- ty team. The President extolled the ways in which Bank of Val- letta, through its various servic- es, seeks to be of service to the Maltese Society and underlined the fact that Bank of Valletta is one of the pillars of the Maltese economy. During this visit, the President thanked the Bank for the contin- uous support it provides in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund. "Through various activ- ities and events throughout the year, like the L-Istrina BOV Pig- gy Bank Campaign, BOV contin- ues to support initiatives to help those people who are in need of the services of the Malta Com- munity Chest Fund."