Attire in the town of St. Julian’s Being a tourist town with lots of clubs, restaurants and by the sea, people tend to wear casual and beach attire during the day and dress up for the evening with smart-casual wear.
Tourism Resources Even though Malta is a small country, it is bustling with events, activities, shopping, beaches and cultural places to visit all year round and therefore you will find it very enjoyable to plan your stay after the Conference. For more information, it is recommended you visit the Malta Tourism Authority’s website: www.visitmalta.com
Health Check with your local health care professional about which vaccinations to receive before visiting Malta. Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip. These vaccines include: • Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine • Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine • Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine • Polio vaccine • Flu shot Holders of a European Health Insurance Card (E111) are eligible for free health care in Malta. The participating countries in these program are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
Electricity The electrical supply is 230 volts /- 10%. The frequency of the supply is 50 hertz. The three-pin rectangular plug system is used, as in Britain. Adapters are very easy to find and partly provided by the hotels.
Currency The euro (€) is the currency used in Malta. One euro consists of 100 euro cents. Banks, post offices and foreign exchange counters will swap currency. Many exchange offices are open on Sundays and there are a number of them located in St. Julian’s. Credit cards are widely accepted in Malta, with Visa being the most widely accepted, followed by MasterCard. American Express and Diners Club are not as widely accepted in Malta. Keep photocopies of all credit cards and documents in case of theft or loss. Notify your bank of your international travel plans before you leave to ensure you can use your card abroad. Many vending machines (ticket, drink, cigarette, etc.) and shops with purchases under €10 do not accept credit card payment, so keep a reasonable supply of cash on hand to keep your travel, food and beverage options open.
Cultural Notes The Maltese culture is generally considered to be a mix of influences brought to the island of Malta by the various rulers it has seen come and go through many centuries. However, age-old traditions have travelled through generations and have allowed the Maltese to retain their roots. The predominant religion in Malta is Catholicism, which is followed by an estimated 90% of the population. Malta is a culture of opposites and therefore has a reasonable amount of authority compared to other European states. Many see Malta as being a nation of opposites and opposition. Whereas the Maltese are generally friendly and welcoming, the Mediterranean temperament comes forward in opposition of sides at many levels, but mainly in sports, politics and local band clubs. The most popular sport in Malta are without a doubt football, however there is also a competitive spirit in water polo, rugby and basketball. The key values of Maltese people are:
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Strong personal relationship Emotional expression Networks and connections Family bonds Sense of tradition and history
2014 JCI European Conference : ST. JULIAN’S, MALTA • JUNE 11 – 14
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