Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/728388
41 Events maltatoday, SUNDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2016 Emirates Skywards marks 16 years with over 16 million members Emirates Skywards, the award- winning frequent flyer pro- gramme of Emirates airline, marks its 16th year milestone with over 16 million members and the suc- cessful launch of new initiatives to enhance reward options for mem- bers. Since the programme's inception in 2000, Emirates Skywards mem- bers have redeemed a whopping 220 billion Miles on reward flights, hotels stays and exclusive access to the biggest events worldwide. The diversity of the programme's part- ners and rewards are reflected in the airline's global customer base and network spanning six conti- nents and over 150 destinations. More benefits Most recently, Emirates Sky- wards has introduced Cash+Miles – allowing flight redemption using a combination of cash and Sky- wards Miles. Members in all four tiers – Blue, Silver, Gold and Plati- num – can start redeeming flights with as little as 2,000 Miles. This popular new initiative instantly reduces the cost of the tickets and can be used on any Emirates flight across all classes, making any seat available to Emirates Skywards members. To date, Emirates Skywards has 14 airline partners including stra- tegic partnerships with Easyjet and Qantas, offering members access to one of the world's largest net- works of global travel destinations. The programme also has 24 hotel partner brands covering nearly 20,000 properties worldwide. This includes a collaboration with the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) programme which gives members double rewards through the abil- ity to earn both Skywards Miles and Starpoints when they fly with Emirates or stay with Starwood. Exclusive access As part of Emirates airline's numerous sponsorships in sports, arts and cultural events, members have also enjoyed front row access to some of the biggest world events including the Emir- ates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival. Since January this year, over 12,000 tickets across 40 sport- ing events have been made avail- able to Emirates Skywards, the award-winning frequent flyer programme of Emirates airline, marks its 16th year milestone with over 16 million members Apples are a must-have for your five-a-day! Did you know that there are around 7,500 apple varieties pro- duced all around the world? This would mean that if you at- tempted to try a different type per day, it would take you ap- proximately 20 years until you would have tried them all, but that should not stop you. We all know that apples are really good for one's health. One apple contains around 80 kcal and its high malic acid con- tent, a substance used in teeth whitening products, make it the ideal fruit to eat for dental care. This in no way means that eating an apple can substitute the twice a day routine of brushing your teeth; however, a good quality apple can serve as a great middle ground between your meal and your toothbrush. The apple's fibrous texture stimulates the gums and produces saliva in your mouth, which helps rinse away bacteria and food par- ticles momentarily. Apples are abundant in the mar- ket, but the Mela Valentina stands out from the crowd. These Ital- ian apples come from the finest Trentino trees, in a wide range of variety. The cool climate and extreme temperatures they come from provide the ideal growing environment for this type of fruit. Fruitland Company is the distrib- utor of the Mela Valentina brand in Malta. For more information on where you can find this fruit, visit our warehouse in Attard, or send an email to info@Fruitland.Company GasanMamo Insurance supports Lourdes volunteers' association GasanMamo Insurance has re- cently supported the Assoċjazzjoni Voluntarji Lourdes (AVL) in their annual pilgrimage to Lourdes. "GasanMamo Insurance has been supporting this initiative for quite a long time," said Julian Ma- mo, Managing Director at Gasan- Mamo Insurance. "Through AVL we help people in need and make it possible for sick people to accomplish their dream and go on this pilgrimage. Despite illness and pain, the patients still wear beautiful smiles on their fac- es and this encourages us so much more to keep contributing to this special cause and it also teaches us to change our perspective on what is really important in life." "Our hard work and excellent organisation paid off," said Amata Camilleri from the AVL. "This year's pilgrimage was a resounding success and everyone expressed their gratitude and sat- isfaction. There is always much trepidation before leaving with so many things that can go wrong but Our Lady of Lourdes always sees us through the difficulties and helps us solve them. I cannot but thank all the volunteers and the members of the AVL for all their hard work and certainly all those generous souls who financially helped us on this wonderful expe- rience." The AVL is a voluntary, inde- pendent and philanthropic organi- sation that embraces the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and promotes universal devotion towards Our Lady. AVL also organises and co-or- dinates pilgrimages for the sick to Lourdes and other sanctuaries, bringing together dedicated per- sons inspired by charity to volun- tarily assist the sick throughout such pilgrimages. "I became overwhelmed by the manifest deep faith and hope of those seeking divine intercession of Our Lady. The time spent at the religious functions during the pilgrimage was very profound yet the many hours of free time were very joyful. I wish to thank all those, who, with a lot of dedication worked hard to make this pilgrim- age a successful and a spiritual en- riching experience," said a patient who went on the pilgrimage.