Ancient Alien Skulls and Taste History – A Unique Travel Industry Event Co-Hosted by Malta Tourism Authority and Heritage Malta

Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) CEO, Carlo Micallef together with Heritage Malta CEO, Noel Zammit, joined by their respective delegations, and Michelle Buttigieg, MTA Representative North America, commemorated MTA’s 25th Anniversary with a unique Historical and Gastronomical Journey curated by Heritage Malta.

The special Malta evening took place on September 17, at Malta’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York City. Ambassador Vanessa Frazier, Malta’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, was host and guest of honor. 

In his welcome remarks to guests from the travel industry as well as travel media, MTA CEO Carlo Micallef announced that, “we are planning to increase our MTA staff presence in the North American market and plan to open an official MTA office in New York in 2025. Our objective in the American Market is to have a non-stop flight to Malta. In order to achieve this goal, MTA is putting major effort into increasing the arrival numbers from the U.S. from 65,000 expected in 2024 to 100,000.” In addition, Heritage Malta CEO, Noel Zammit noted that showcasing Malta’s unique cultural heritage can provide a bridge to visitors through diverse experiences that enhance Malta as an exciting destination for tourists.

Joining Micallef and Zammit from Malta were distinguished members from both the MTA and Heritage Malta delegations. From MTA, key members included Leslie Vella, Deputy CEO, Arthur Grima, Director of Marketing, and Yasmine Scorfna, Marketing Assistant Manager. Representing Heritage Malta were Liam Gauci, Senior Curator of the Malta Maritime Museum, Vincent Zammit, Researcher and Author, and Keith Gatt, Curator of the Malta Maritime Museum.

Ancient Alien Skulls, Myths, and Legends of Prehistoric Malta

Heritage Malta, the national agency for museums, conservation practices, and cultural heritage in Malta, had on display reproductions of three skulls unearthed at Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum. Noel Zammit, CEO, Heritage Malta, said that:

“These skulls represent Malta’s incredible 8,000 years of history.”

“Due to their isolation in the Mediterranean, the Maltese Islands developed their own unique culture between 3600 and 2500 BC, manifested in the largest and most striking remains of complex megalithic structures such as the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Ġgantija, Tarxien, Ħaġar Qim, Mnajdra, Ta’ Ħaġrat, and Skorba, as well as the underground burial site of the Hypogeum.”

Vincent Zammit, a researcher and author of Myths and Legends of Prehistoric Malta, aimed to unlock these origins by presenting guests with explanations and theories of the replicas of real ancient artifacts as well as prehistoric findings of the first human and animal remains in Malta dating back to 6000 B.C. 

Taste History – a Gastronomical Experience 

Following the meticulous research of chefs, curators, and historians, Taste History is an initiative that brought historical recipes to life, by creating an exclusive gastronomical experience that revives the forgotten foods of the island nation. Liam Gauci, Senior Curator of the Malta Maritime Museum, explained the origins of each of the 12 courses that were recreated and served to the guests.

Historic Ties Between the U.S. and Malta

Keith Gatt, Curator of the Malta Maritime Museum, spoke about the relationship between the United States Navy and Malta—a relationship that has played a significant role in the history of the 20th-century Mediterranean. This relationship has evolved through multiple conflicts, crises, and periods of cooperation, spanning over a century. From the early days of the Great White Fleet’s visit to Malta in 1909 to the significant contributions of both nations during the Second World War to the uncertainty of the Cold War and even in moments of delicate diplomacy like the 1989 Malta Summit, the US Navy and Malta have shared a profound bond and a historical connection, highlighting key moments that have defined this enduring relationship.

About Malta

The sunny islands of Malta, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, are home to a most remarkable concentration of intact built heritage, including the highest density of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in any nation-state anywhere. Valletta, built by the proud Knights of St. John, is one of the UNESCO sites and the European Capital of Culture for 2018. Malta’s patrimony in stone ranges from the oldest free-standing stone architecture in the world, to one of the British Empire’s most formidable defensive systems, and includes a rich mix of domestic, religious and military architecture from the ancient, medieval and early modern periods. With superbly sunny weather, attractive beaches, a thriving nightlife and 8,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do.

For more information on Malta, visit www.VisitMalta.com.

About Heritage Malta

As guardians of over 8,000 years of history, Heritage Malta is the national agency for museums, conservation practice and cultural heritage. With a portfolio that encompasses archaeological sites, baroque auberges and palaces, catacombs, forts, natural landscapes and UNESCO listed Neolithic monuments, Heritage Malta is the face of the Maltese Islands. More than simply advancing the stock of intellectual and cultural capital, our vocation is to offer a mirror to society through a heritage which is ‘Part of Us‘, because we are our history and this is our cultural identity.

For more information on Heritage Malta, visit https://heritagemalta.mt/. 

SEEN IN MAIN IMAGE:  L to R – H.E. Vanessa Frazier, Permanent Rep. of Malta to the U.N., third from left, surrounded by MTA Team – Marketing, Yasmine Scorfna; CEO, Carlo Micallef; Marketing Director, Arthur Grima; Rep. North America, Michelle Buttigieg; Dep. CEO, Leslie Vella – image courtesy of Vitaliy Piltser for MTA

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Malta Tourism Authority – North America 

Michelle Buttigieg, Representative 

Tel:      (212) 213-0944

Fax:     (212) 213-0938

E-mail: [email protected]

MTA U.S./Canada Editorial Contact:

The Bradford Group

Amanda Marconi/Jacqueline Capossela

Tel:      (212) 447-0027

E-mail: [email protected]