MTA Online Newsletter

Over 36,700 visitors for first three months of www.mta.com.mt

The MTA's corporate website www.mta.com.mt registered 36,718 visitors during its first three months of operation, with average daily visits peaking at 452 in July.

The website, which was set up last June, is an interface between the MTA and all its publics, bringing tourism stakeholders together by creating a forum for an exchange of information and ideas. The site, which is managed by the MTA’s Corporate Communications and Business Development Division, provides information about the MTA, including projects, press releases, new initiatives and campaigns. It also contains updated information about the Maltese and global tourism industry.

For more information, or to subscribe to the monthly online newsletter, please contact tel. no: 22915350, fax no: 22915894 or email: info@mta.com.mt.

World Tourism Day - 27th September 2003

The Ministry for Tourism commissioned the Malta Tourism Authority to co-ordinate a programme of activities, together with partner organisations, to celebrate World Tourism Day on Saturday the 27^th September.

A photographic exhibition entitled ‘Treasuring our unique heritage – a key to success in tourism’, organised by the MTA in collaboration with the Malta Photographic Society and Heritage Malta, under the auspices of the Minister for Tourism, was inaugurated by Minister for Tourism Dr Francis Zammit Dimech on the 27^th September at 11.00 hrs at the Head Office of Heritage Malta in Merchants Street Valletta.

The photographic exhibition will run until the 17th October 2003, at Heritage Malta’s head office. The opening hours are Monday to Friday from 09.00 to 18.00 hrs. The exhibition is sponsored by Air Malta p.l.c and the Radisson SAS.

The Minister for Tourism also visited the Malta Experience and met the employees of the San Gorg Corinthia, Golden Tulip Vivaldi and Plevna Hotel. He presided over and presented awards to the ‘Personality of the Year’ in the tourism sector at the Malta Tourism Awards organised by Skal International at the Westin Dragonara Resort. A number of tourism organisations and establishments also organised activities on World Tourism Day.

To mark World Tourism Day, H.E. the President of Malta will visit Auberge d’Italie, and address the staff of the Ministry for Tourism, Department of Tourism, MTA and ITS on the 7^h October.

MTA presents ‘Attitude Survey’ findings

The MTA recently announced the findings of an ’Attitude Survey for Employees in Hotels or Similar Establishments’.  The aim of the survey was to analyse the attitude of employees working in hotels and other accommodation establishments.

The study was commissioned by the MTA’s Human Resource and Support Services Directorate and conducted by its Strategic Planning and Research Division.

The findings were presented by the MTA’s Strategic Planning and Research Division Manager Ms Tanya Sultana and Senior Executive Ms Claire Said. Other speakers included MTA Chairman Dr John C. Grech, Chairman of the MTA’s Human Resource and Support Services Directorate Mr Frank Xerri de Caro and Director Mr John Muscat Drago.

World Tourism Day Photographic exhibition attracts 190 entries

This year, 190 photographic entries were received from local and foreign photographers for the annual photographic competition organised on World Tourism Day entitled ‘Treasuring Our Unique Heritage – a key to success in tourism’, organised by the MTA in collaboration with the Malta Photographic Society and Heritage Malta, under the auspices of the Minister for Tourism.

The entries will be displayed at the photographic exhibition which will run until the 17th October 2003 at Heritage Malta’s head office. The opening hours are Monday to Friday from 09.00 to 18.00 hrs. The exhibition is sponsored by Air Malta p.l.c and the Radisson SAS.

Results: Colour Prints

First prize - ‘Steps to Heaven’, Lino Agius; second prize - ‘Mtahleb Chapel’, Victor Micallef; Honourable mentions - ‘Street Corner’, Ivan Pierre Vella;  ‘Detail – Mausoleum of GM Nicola Cottoner’, Christine J Muscat Azzopardi; St John the Baptist’, Paul Mangion; ‘The Saint’, Stephen Vella.

Results: Monochrome Prints

First prize - ‘Il-Hajjat’, Charles Pace; second prize - ‘Lura d-Dar’, Joe Attard

Honourable mentions - ‘Two Boats at Marsaxlokk’, Joe Attard; ‘Balcony Detail – St Augustine Priory, Rabat’, Ivan Pierre Vella; ‘Tal-Bigilla’, Charles Pace;  ‘Hagar Qim Temples’, Jos. P Smith.

MTA to launch new edition of ‘Malta, Int u t-Turist’

The MTA will be launching another edition of its ‘Malta, Int u t-Turist’ training programmes, starting from the 14^th October 2003. Another two programmes are scheduled to run in January 2004 (at the University Centre in Xewkija in Gozo) and February 2004.

This training programme, which is being conducted by Malta University Services on behalf of the MTA, is primarily addressed to all those who come in contact with tourists, including employees working in tourism-related establishments and support services.

Malta in International Travel Fairs

As part of its ongoing promotional drive, the MTA is scheduled to participate in more than 80 fairs and workshops in 25 countries worldwide in the 2003/04 overseas fair season.

The MTA is inviting licensed members of the local trade sectors who wish to participate in these fairs to write to the MTA’s Marketing and Promotion Manager Special Projects, Mr Gerald Miller at the MTA Head Office, Merchant’s Street, Valletta CMR 02, or e-mail gerald.miller@visitmalta.com for more information. The lists of overseas fairs 2003/4 may be downloaded here.

Tree-planting at Ta’ Qali

The newly re-launched Maltese-Australian Chamber of Commerce recently organised the planting of an olive tree in the ’Roots Circle’ in Ta' Qali.

The tree-planting gathering was addressed by Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment George Pullicino, Australian High Commissioner H.E. Mr Richard Palk, and Chairman of the Malta Tourism Authority and MACC President Dr John C. Grech. The tree was planted on behalf of the MACC by Australian High Commission Post and Consular Manager Ms Angela Hopkins.

The aim of the ‘Roots Malta’ Programme, set up by the MTA last year, is to attract second and third generations of Maltese emigrants found all over the world and encourage them to visit the country of their roots. More information from Tourist Information Centres, website: www.roots-malta.com  email: info@roots-malta.com or tel. no: 21 237331.

The new version of the MACC will embrace the concept of building bridges between ethnic Maltese people in these two countries, besides business in general. Its programme for next year includes a ‘Cultural Week’ at St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity between the 25^th and 30^th January 2004.

MTA to hold seminar for conference organisers

MTA launches on-line training for travel agents

The MTA’s Frankfurt office recently launched an on-line training package for travel agents in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.  An encouraging number of agents have enrolled in the programme, which is made up of five seminars dealing with different aspects of the Malta tourism offer. The MTA aims to enrol over 2,500 travel agents from Germany, as well as a number of others from Switzerland and Austria.

Malta ‘Destination of the Week’ on Forbes.com

Malta was recently featured as the ‘Destination of the Week on the influential website www.Forbes.com which attracts over 650,000 visitors every month. The article, entitled ‘Nights of Malta’, was written by travel journalist Gabi Horn who was in Malta last May on a press trip organised by the MTA and supported by Air Malta. The article may be viewed here.

Malta among 20 top honeymoon island destinations

The Maltese Islands placed among the top 20 honeymoon island destinations in a feature entitled ‘20 Top H20 Honeymoons’, carried in the Fall/Winter edition of US magazine Islands Weddings & Honeymoons. The writer of the feature was hosted by the MTA and supported by Air Malta.

According to the feature, Malta "offers just about everything you could want in a memorable Mediterranean honeymoon - flawless weather, great seafood, an abiding sense of history, and a population of friendly English-speakers".  The article also describes Malta as 'Europe's best dive destination' and recommends the Kempinski San Lawrenz Resort and Spa in Gozo as ‘a romantic retreat off the beaten path’.