During the opening of a new public garden in Pembroke, Minister for Tourism, Culture and the Environment Mario de Marco said that statistics for the month of June have resulted in more record figures making the recorded figures of tourists for the months of April, May and June the highest ever.

Pembroke, with its military history spanning from the time of the knights, has benefitted from an investment of €2.6 million which is part of a larger €20million project, co-financed from the European Union, aimed to embellish the Maltese coastline.

Through this investment, barren land and land previously used to park cars has been embellished and returned to the public as a recreational area, said the Minister, going on to say that all water features and planted sections of the garden get their water from two reservoirs that collect street water. Investment in tourism is crucial however this has to be sustainable and also benefitting the local population Mario de Marco concluded.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi stated that whilst neighbouring countries speak of austerity measures, the Maltese Government is instead investing in projects with the aim of bringing the family together. Highlighting the inscription on the ceremonial plaque, ‘Biex int tgħix ħajja aħjar ma’ uliedek’, the Prime Minister said that the best return for this investment is to see parents and children enjoying time together.

The embellishment of the garden at Pembroke generated work for over 145 workers in various sectors and it is the aim of the Government to sustain its track to improve the local economy through sustainable tourism, investment in the family and creation of jobs, the Prime Minister said.

In his comments, Chief Executive Officer of the Malta Tourism Authority Josef Formosa Gauci said that the embellishment of this garden at Pembroke is part of a chain of projects co-financed by the EU, that will see the flourishing of the promenade areas at St Julian’s, Sliema and Pembroke, guaranteeing the best possible product for both the tourism sector and local families alike.