Virgin Voyages Drops Anchor
New cruise company Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady has made an inaugural call to Gibraltar. She will be calling in at the Port 5 times this year.
Minister for Tourism, the Hon Vijay Daryanani MP, had been in conversation with Virgin Voyages in the lead up to the visit, with the pandemic delaying the start.
The vessel was greeted by a water salute on its arrival to the Gibraltar Port and departed later on that day to its next port of call in Malaga.
With 110,000 gross tonnage and measuring 278 metres long, this adult only cruise ship has a maximum capacity of 2,860 passengers across its 17 decks. On this occasion, the Valiant Lady carried 753 passengers and 1086 crew.
Minister Daryanani was invited on board the ship by Captain Aris Medina Morales where they both engaged in the traditional exchange of plaque ceremony.
Minister for Tourism, Vijay Daryanani, commented, “As always, this is great news for Gibraltar PLC. It is important that we attract the new cruise companies to our port. We have been working very hard for this to happen and hopefully there will be more new companies to follow.
Virgin Voyages is an exciting entrant to the cruise market and are already making positive news so we are delighted that they will be calling at our port this year. I met with them last month in Miami and we look forward to building a fruitful relationship with them for the benefit of all”.
Chamber’s vat red line
Gibraltar’s Chamber of Commerce has reiterated its profound opposition to any introduction of VAT as part of any Brexit Treaty.
Recently-elected Chamber President Mr. John Isola responded to a question on the possible introduction of VAT in Gibraltar during an interview on the GBC, in the context of the ongoing discussions between the UK, on behalf of Gibraltar and the EU.
The Chamber’s position on the introduction of VAT in Gibraltar remains unchanged. The introduction of VAT is a red line for the Chamber as it would not be in Gibraltar’s interests and would make the economy less competitive. This follows wide consultation with the Chamber’s members in the sectors that would be affected by such a move.
In his GBC interview, the Chamber President highlighted the need for local businesses to be flexible in general terms for the good of the economy and the community overall; but this would be in the context of, and depend upon, what the terms of any treaty might be.
easyJet Dispels Stereotypes
Gibraltar stalwart easyJet has launched a new recruitment campaign which sees children re-enact scenes from classic 80’s film Top Gun, in a bid to dispel stereotypes around aviation jobs.
The parody promo aims to tackle prevailing gender stereotypes of pilots, with lead roles Maverick and Goose played by seven year-old Rei Diec and nine year-old Olivia Joohee-Ridington.
The campaign is part of the airline’s nextGen easyJet commitment to championing greater diversity and inclusivity.
easyJet has launched a Europe-wide campaign to tackle job stereotypes and inspire more young people to consider a career in aviation, including encouraging more girls to become pilots.
Shot at London Luton Airport, with a cast of children of easyJet staff aged between seven and 12, the film recreated some of Top Gun’s most iconic moments, including Tom Cruise’s motorbike scene, the classroom, and the infamous ‘It’s time to buzz the tower’ scene.
