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Ministry for Tourism and Consumer Protection and Malta Tourism Authority Welcome Announcement of Airport Reopening

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The Ministry for Tourism and Consumer Protection and the Malta Tourism Authority expressed their satisfaction at the announcement of the Malta airport reopening and the resumption of commercial flights to and from Malta as of July 1, 2020. 

The first group of destinations that are being reopened for travel comprises: Germany, Austria, Sicily, Cyprus, Switzerland, Sardegna, Iceland, Slovakia, Norway, Denmark, Hungary, Finland, Ireland, Lithuania, Israel, Latvia, Estonia, Luxembourg, and the Czech Republic. More destinations of the Malta airport reopening will be announced in due course, once clearance from the health authorities is received. 

Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection Julia Farrugia Portelli said that this decision reaffirms previous statements declaring that Malta is going to have a summer. The Minister added that the lifting of these measures was carefully studied in the past weeks with the health authorities and will give our people confidence while further sustaining our economy and tourism. 

MTA Chairman Dr. Gavin Gulia said: “Over the past two and a half months, the travel and hospitality industry across the globe has faced an unprecedented challenge. Members of the travel trade, from airlines to tour operators and travel agents, as well as hoteliers and restauranteurs, and the many others who earn a living directly or indirectly from tourism, had to endure the impact of an international travel ban. Now that the situation is improving in many countries, and we can finally reopen our borders, we look forward with cautious optimism to the weeks and months ahead. Whilst taking all necessary safety precautions, we can proceed to this important next phase with confidence.” 

MTA Chief Executive Johann Buttigieg, stated: “The announcement that Malta International Airport – our primary gateway to the world – is reopening is of fundamental importance to all of us in the tourism sector, and we welcome it with enthusiasm. The difficulties we have managed to overcome together in the past weeks are a testament to the resilience of the industry. New challenges lie ahead, but with them come new opportunities. MTA believes that Malta has all it takes to rebuild a profitable industry that provides a livelihood for thousands and is so important to the Maltese economy.” 

Carlo Micallef, MTA Deputy CEO and Chief Marketing Officer said: “Throughout the peak of the pandemic, when international travel was at a standstill, we made sure that the Maltese Islands remained top-of-mind for prospective travelers in our core markets by means of a campaign called “Dream Malta Now… Visit Later”. With the opening of our airport, we can now start to inform our overseas partners and customers, that the time to simply dream is over, and the actual visiting can begin once again. It will not happen all at once, and not from everywhere from day one. But it is an important first step, one that the industry and the public has been eagerly waiting for.” 

Malta’s excellent performance with regard to the control of the coronavirus within its territory has been acknowledged by the European Commission, the Commonwealth, the World Health Organisation, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, and others. Various articles and reports in influential publications have included Malta amongst the safest countries to visit in a post-COVID scenario. 

About Malta

Malta, an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, is known for 300 days of sunshine, 7,000 years of history, and is home to a most remarkable concentration of intact built heritage, including the highest density (3) of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in any nation-state anywhere.  Valletta, one of the UNESCO sites, was built by the proud Knights of St. John and was the European Capital of Culture 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. Malta and its sister islands of Gozo and Comino, offer visitors something for everyone, attractive beaches, diving, yachting, diverse cuisine, a thriving nightlife, a year-round calendar of festivals and events, and spectacular film set locations for many world-famous movies and TV series. www.visitmalta.com

More news about Malta.

#rebuildingtravel

MEDIA CONTACTS:

The Public Relations Department – MTA 

Tel.: +356 22915000 

Email: pr@visitmalta.com 

Website: www.mta.com.mt 

Malta Tourism Authority – North America 

Michelle Buttigieg

P 212 213 0944

F 212 213 0938

E-mail: michelle-margaret.buttigieg@visitmalta.com 

MTA US/Canada Editorial Contact:

The Bradford Group

Amanda Benedetto/ Gabriela Reyes

Tel: (212) 447-0027 

Fax: (212) 725 8253

MTA Invites the World to “Dream Malta Now… Visit Later”

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“Dream Malta Now… Visit Later” is the name of a promotional campaign that the Malta Tourism Authority launched today with the aim of reminding potential visitors about the beauty that awaits them in Malta once it becomes possible for people to start travelling again. Using a 60-second video clip produced in fourteen different languages, the campaign will be conducted primarily online, and will be accompanied by a series of social media posts promoting the same message.

Commenting on this campaign, Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection, Julia Farrugia Portelli, stated: “When faced with a challenging scenario like the one we are experiencing at the moment, a common reaction is that of halting all marketing and retreating completely from the scene. However, this was not the philosophy adopted by the Malta Tourism Authority and the Government of Malta. On the contrary, we devised a campaign, oriented towards different areas of interest, through which we aim to provide prospective visitors with a taste of the Maltese Islands and entice them to visit at a later date.” 

Carlo Micallef, Deputy CEO and Chief Marketing Officer at the Malta Tourism Authority, stated that in spite of the fact that international tourism is at a standstill, the work of MTA’s marketing team went on unabated. “At the moment, we are conducting various inspirational campaigns in a number of countries with the aim of keeping Malta, Gozo and Comino top of mind for those who will one day become future visitors to our islands.”

Johann Buttigieg, Chief Executive Officer of the Malta Tourism Authority, explained how in addition to marketing, MTA is also busy with projects aimed at improving the infrastructure as well as the levels of service provided through a programme of training for staff involved in the tourism sector. “One has to keep in mind that, as soon as the COVID-19 crisis is over, competition among tourism destinations will be fiercer than ever. So it is imperative that we are among the front runners when this occurs and that, together with our industry stakeholders, we can provide the best possible product to attract visitors to Malta as we were doing before the pandemic started.”

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 sights 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 7,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do. For more information on Malta, visit www.visitmalta.com.

Malta Tourism Authority – North America 

Michelle Buttigieg

P 212 213 0944

F 212 213 0938

E-mail: michelle-margaret.buttigieg@visitmalta.com

MTA US/Canada Editorial Contact:

The Bradford Group

Amanda Benedetto/ Gabriela Reyes

Tel: (212) 447-0027

Fax: (212) 725 8253

E-mail: info@bradfordglobalmarketing.com

Malta Tourism Authority North America Takes Home Silver Travvy Award for Best European Destination

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The Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) has won the silver award for “Best European Destination” at the Annual Travvy Awards which are held by travAlliancemedia at a Gala Awards night in New York City, on February 12, 2020. 

The 2020 Travvy Awards recognizes the highest standards of excellence in the Industry today and honors travel companies, travel products, travel agencies, travel executives, travel agents, and destinations for their outstanding achievement. Now in their 6th year, the Travvy Awards have quickly earned their reputation as the Academy Awards of the travel industry.

The Malta Tourism Authority (MTA), through a myriad of marketing efforts, continues to be proactive in the US market since it reestablished its presence in 2014. Led by Michelle Buttigieg, MTA representative for North America, MTA has expanded the number of tour operators that include Malta in their itineraries as well as increased the number of nights spent in Malta on these programs. Tourism from the US market alone has doubled in the past six years to a total of 50,525 tourists. This travel industry push, combined with targeting the US media by promoting Malta in all its diversity, continues to yield excellent results.

Carlo Micallef, Deputy CEO and Marketing Director, Malta Tourism Authority, stated “the MTA is extremely pleased to receive such a coveted award in the competitive American market. These awards show that Malta continues to expand its impact in the travel agent community by promoting the diverse appeal of the Maltese Islands. It also reflects MTA’s commitment to travel agent training has resulted in 4,471 Malta Specialists to date.  It is also worth noting that Malta’s luxury product has grown enormously in the last few years and this has particular appeal to American travelers who spend 40% more than the per capita average registered overall.”

Michelle Buttigieg added that “the MTA continues to expand and strengthen its marketing and public relations efforts being carried out in the American market, as well as continue to work with and support tour operator partners so as to ensure increased tour operator promotion and sales. Toward that end we are particularly pleased to be hosting for the first time, the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) out of country board meeting in April.” Buttigieg added, “this year Conventions Malta will strengthen its push in the MICE market.”

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 sights 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 7,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do. For more information on Malta, visit www.visitmalta.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Malta Tourism Authority- North America 

Michelle Buttigieg

P 212 213 0944

F 212 213 0938

E-mail: michelle-margaret.buttigieg@visitmalta.com

MTA US/Canada Editorial Contact:

The Bradford Group

Amanda Benedetto/ Gabriela Reyes

Tel:  (212) 447-0027

Fax:  (212) 725 8253

E-mail: info@bradfordglobalmarketing.com

Malta Tourism Authority appoints Tolene Van der Merwe as new Director for UK and Ireland

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The Malta Tourism Authority is delighted to announce the appointment of Tolene Van der Merwe as the tourism board’s new UK and Ireland Director.

Tolene’s new role will focus on leading a London based team to further develop and cultivate partnerships with tour operators, airlines, travel agents and niche specialists as well reaching out to the UK public with PR and marketing initiatives to keep Malta and Gozo on top of mind and holiday destinations of choice for the UK public. Accounting for a quarter of Malta’s tourism arrivals, the UK market is the largest for the destination and Tolene and her team will continue to grow arrival numbers through diversification of on island experiences and strategies.

Tolene began her career in the tourism industry at Exclusive Getaways, the luxury South African operator. Tolene later joined London based tour operator African Affair Travel furthering her specialism in African tourism product before founding Boutique Travel Marketing, where she spent seven years growing the hotel representation company. Tolene joins the Malta Tourism Authority following five years as the Hub Head for South African Tourism for UK and Ireland.

Tolene commented “I’m thrilled to be a part of the Malta Tourism Authority’s UK team. The archipelago has had a fantastic boost in its tourism in the past few years and is now considered to be one of Europe’s hottest destinations for history and culture, LGBT+, gastronomy, diving, and soft adventure travel. With attentions now turning to wellness, city breaks and sustainability, I’m excited to be part of the tourism authority’s increasing success in drawing a variety of travellers to experience all that the islands have to offer”.

Latest numbers show that Malta is on par to match UK visitor arrival figures recorded in 2018.

Commenting on this appointment, MTA’s CMO & Deputy CEO Carlo Micallef said that “MTA is delighted to have secured the services of Tolene van der Merwe to join a strong highly professional team in London and continue building on the success achieved under Peter Vella’s stewardship in the past 4 years. Malta’s tourism industry continues to enjoy record performances year on year and MTA together with Ministry for Tourism have a strategy of further market diversification, route connection development, tourism product enhancement as well as Malta brand identity growth to ensure that the success continues.”

MEDIA CONTACTS: Lauren Williams, Emily Olsen or Georgia Gogarty at malta@finnpartners.com or 020 7326 9880

Malta to host US Tour Operators Association spring 2020 Out-of-Country Board Meeting

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Malta has been selected as the host destination for United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) annual Out-of-Country Board Meeting to take place in Spring 2020. Malta won the bid in a unanimous vote announced by USTOA Board Chairman, Dana Santucci, Vice President of Development, EF Education First. Turkish Airlines will be the official USTOA Malta Board Meeting air carrier; the global carrier that flies to more destinations and countries than any other airline in the world will provide flights for attendees and a two-day stopover in Istanbul will be included in the event program.     

Michelle Buttigieg, Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) Representative North America said, “Since MTA rejoined USTOA five years ago, the number of USTOA tour operators who have added Malta to their itineraries and those who are expanding their Malta tour product, has grown from five to more than 30 in 2019. Hosting the USTOA Out-of-Country Board Meeting will provide a great opportunity for the Board members to experience for themselves why Malta has become so popular for the North American traveler.”   

“USTOA tour operator members, along with the media, have widely recognized that Malta is definitely a country to be seen and heard from,” said Terry Dale, USTOA President & CEO. Dale added, “Malta’s proactive presence in the US market is making a huge difference in the minds of tour operators as well as consumers. The Out-of-Country Board Meeting in Malta will provide all the tour operators with an opportunity to experience first-hand why this hidden gem of the Mediterranean, is definitely trending in the US & Canadian travel market.” 

Crystal Lagoon, Malta – Photo – ViewingMalta.com

Malta tourism from North America has grown dramatically in the past few years. In the first quarter of 2019 alone, there was close to a 40% increase from just the US market over the same period of the previous year. In addition to Malta being a safe destination, and English speaking, Buttigieg attributes much of this growing popularity to several factors. “One is certainly due to the fact that Malta’s capital, Valletta, was named a European Capital of Culture in 2018,” said Buttigieg. “Another major factor, especially for the North American market, is the expansion and growth of luxury hotels in the past five years both with the well-known chains as well as with the opening of new luxury boutique hotels that were former Palazzos. Malta has focused on a strong consumer promotional push, resulting in major travel consumer media coverage, as well as taking a proactive approach with the travel professionals including USTOA members.” 

Turkish Airlines, an associate USTOA member, will be the official host air carrier for the USTOA Out-of-Country Board Meeting in Malta. “Turkish Airlines provides excellent connections to Malta from its nine US gateways,” said Mr. Cenk Ocal, General Manager, New York, Turkish Airlines.  He added “Turkish Airlines has already co-hosted with Malta Tourism Authority a high level Tour Operator familiarization trip four years ago with great success. We are confident that the USTOA Out-of-Country Board Meeting will also yield great results by providing an opportunity for those tour operators who have never been to Malta, to discover the easy access via Turkish Airlines, the diversity of the tourism product and the special attraction that the destination has for American travelers!” 

For more articles about Malta, click here.

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 sights and was a 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 7,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Malta Tourism Authority:

Michelle Buttigieg
Tel: (212) 213-0944
Fax: (212) 213-0938
E-mail: michelle-margaret.buttigieg@visitmalta.com

MTA US Editorial Contact:

The Bradford Group
Karen Hoffman/ Bianca Pappas
Tel: (212) 447-0027
Fax: (212) 725 8253
E-mail: info@bradfordglobalmarketing.com

Malta Attracts a Record Breaking 62,185 Tourists from US & Canada in 2018 Representing a Dramatic 24.8% Increase

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Statistics released by Malta’s National Statistics Office for inbound tourism for 2018 show that Malta’s popularity in the North American market is still trending.

The Hon. Konrad Mizzi, Minister of Tourism for Malta, noted that the US was one of the fastest growing tourism markets for Malta, recording a dramatic increase of 31.9% from 2017 to 2018, with a total of 47,170 Americans visitors. The increase from Canada in 2018 was 6.6% (15,015 Canadians) bringing the total arrivals in 2018 from North America (US & Canada) to a record breaking 62,185. This sunny archipelago in the Mediterranean recorded an overall 2.6 million visitors (+14.3% between 2017 and 2018), bringing a record number of tourists to Malta from around the World.

Malta is turning into one of the Mediterranean’s top all season destinations due to its success in developing a multitude of off-peak events, and mild year round warm, sunny climate. According to Michelle Buttigieg, MTA Representative for North America, “although the dramatic increase in 2018 is due in large part to the yearlong celebrations of Malta’s Capital, Valletta, as the 2018 European capital of Culture,  Malta also  has a rich and diverse annual calendar of festivals and events that continue to attract visitors for the off-season.”

Buttigieg continued, “if the overwhelming number of people stopping at the Malta Booth last month at the January 2019 New York Times Travel Show is any indication, this market will continue to boom.”  The MTA is very proactive in North America, both with travel industry organizations such as the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), and Virtuoso, a network of luxury travel agents.

Buttigieg further stated, “MTA has also garnered major publicity in the US and Canada because of its proactive work with prominent journalists and social media influencers.”  Buttigieg added, “an important part of Malta’s appeal to the North American traveler is that English is an official language, and that Malta is a safe, peaceful, and stable EU democracy.”

MEDIA CONTACTS: Malta Tourism Authority, Michelle Buttigieg, P 212 213 0944, F 212 213 0938, E-mail: michelle-margaret.buttigieg@visitmalta.com ; MTA US Editorial Contact: The Bradford Group, Karen Hoffman/Bianca Pappas, Tel: (212) 447-0027, Fax: (212) 725 8253, E-mail: info@bradfordglobalmarketing.com