Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1529221
4 NEWS 4 MATTHEW VELLA mvella@mediatoday.com.mt maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 13 NOVEMBER 2024 MALTA was one of the most intensively bombed areas dur- ing WWII with the German Luftwaffe and Italian Regia Aer- onautica flying a total of 3,000 bombing raids over two years, dropping 6,700 tons of bombs on the Grand Harbour area alone. It was the last of several incur- sions on an island whose occupi- ers included the French in 1798, and under the Knights of the Or- der of St John had to withstand an Ottoman invasion in the Great Siege of 1565. Now VisitMalta has inaugurat- ed Malta's military tourism seg- ment at an event inside St Anne's Chapel within the historic Fort St Elmo in Valletta, hoping to attract military enthusiasts who want to know more of Malta's storied life of occupation and re- sistance. Organised in collaboration with Heritage Malta, the milestone event introduced a distinctive addition to Malta's tourism port- folio, celebrating the nation's rich military heritage. The new segment will attract military history enthusiasts, highlighting the unique role of the Maltese islands in global mil- itary history. St Anne's Chapel, the event venue, holds particu- lar significance, commemorat- ing the valiant final stand of six knights of the Order of St John who defended the chapel and Fort during the Great Siege of 1565. With its iconic fortifications, historic war cemeteries, and me- morials honouring soldiers, Mal- ta offers a compelling narrative for visitors with an interest in military heritage. This new seg- ment enables travellers to explore Malta's rich tapestry of historical sites, revealing the islands' resil- ience and strategic importance over the centuries. Carlo Micallef, CEO of the Mal- ta Tourism Authority, said that the launch of the Military Tour- ism Niche aligns with VisitMal- ta's strategy to promote Malta as a destination that offers enrich- ing and memorable experiences to visitors. "This initiative goes beyond merely attracting visitors; it is de- signed to engage those who seek authentic, meaningful experienc- es that connect them to the rich history of our islands. "Military tourism aligns seam- lessly with our vision for a tour- ism sector that prioritizes depth and substance, providing visi- tors with a compelling reason to choose Malta not only as a desti- nation but as a place to immerse themselves in a unique heritage that celebrates the resilience and spirit of our nation." The Military Tourism segment not only enhances Malta's tour- ism appeal but also strengthens partnerships with organizations such as Heritage Malta and the Commonwealth War Graves As- sociation, creating avenues for visitors to explore a lesser-known aspect of Malta's heritage. Malta, WWII's most heavily bombed country, makes pitch for military enthusiasts VisitMalta launches military tourism segment aimed at attracting military history enthusiasts to Malta JULIANA ZAMMIT jzammit@mediatoday.com.mt Church opposes Villa Rosa project, local plan change THE Archdiocese of Malta's Environ- ment Commission has expressed strong opposition to the planned amendments to the Villa Rosa local plans as well as the project itself. "This project is another example where individual interests are priori- tised over community wellbeing," the Commission said on Tuesday. The Church commission is the lat- est entity to oppose the Villa Rosa lo- cal plan amendment and project. Last month, NGOs, local councils, and res- idents gathered in protest to denounce the project as an "affront to democra- cy". The Commission emphasised that "achieving a 'country of quality' re- quires a serious commitment to genu- inely sustainable development." In response to these issues, the Church body has urged the govern- ment to conduct a thorough review of the Strategic Plan for the Environment and Development (SPED). They specif- ically called for the removal of "ambig- uous and poor regulations that allow individuals and organisations to exploit existing loopholes." "This situation results from policies based on questionable advice and con- troversial decisions," the Commission stated, suggesting that responsible au- thorities seem to be "abandoning long- term strategic planning in favor of a fragmented approach to so-called de- velopment projects." The Church commission highlight- ed significant concerns about the de- velopment's impact on surrounding communities, citing increased traffic congestion, visual pollution, and the reduction of natural sunlight due to the towers' shadows. The Commission has submitted its position to the Planning Authority as part of the ongoing public consultation process, which remains open for public comment until 25 November 2024. Archdiocese of Malta's Environment Commission says it views the Villa Rosa project as another example where individual interests are prioritised over community wellbeing The Church commission is the latest entity to oppose the Villa Rosa local plan amendment and project