Malta awards its highest decoration to Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises

The President of Malta has awarded Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Cruises, the island's highest honor, the Order of Merit, a decoration bestowed exclusively upon those who have demonstrated exceptional merit in service to Malta.
Vago received the award yesterday at a ceremony held in Valletta, on Republic Honours Day, at the Grand Palace, to which he was invited by President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca.
This honor is rarely awarded to non-Maltese citizens, but the government chose the CEO of MSC Cruises, an Italian who has resided in Switzerland since 2011, due to his and MSC Cruises' contributions to the cruise industry in Malta, and consequently to its local economy.
MSC Cruisesenjoys a strong and long-standing relationship with the island of Malta, where its ships have been calling every year since 2003. Pierfrancesco Vago has actively contributed to building and strengthening this relationship with Malta, which continues to thrive today. In 2015, MSC Cruises brought more than 230,000 visitors to the island, with plans to bring an additional 330,000 cruise passengers in 2016.
Mr. Vago stated: “I am deeply honored to receive such recognition from the Maltese Government. This island nation is a beautiful and vibrant place to visit, with three UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a rich culture and history. The island has a very strong tourism industry and offers top-notch services, which is why our customers choose Malta as one of their preferred destinations in the Mediterranean.”