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Event Coordination

TOURISM EVENTS SPONSORSHIP SCHEME

The Tourism Events Sponsorship Scheme (TESS) is a fund administered by the Malta Tourism Authority with the aim to assist with the development of events as tourist attractions within the Maltese Islands.

Events are powerful tools as they have the ability to give the Maltese Islands a competitive advantage benefitting the image, economy and tourism performance of the island.

The scheme is administered through a competitive application process. Applications are reviewed and assessed against criteria listed below. Compliance and eligibility with the criteria do not guarantee sponsorship.

TESS aims to assist events that meet the following key objectives:

 

  • Increase visitor numbers and expenditure.
  • Enhance the visitor's experience.
  • Ensure year-round activities targeting mostly off-peak or shoulder periods.
  • Attract media coverage that will help raise the profile of the Maltese Islands as a tourist destination (media impact).

 

Contact Information:

Events Sponsorship Scheme
Suites 301-306, Building SCM 01
SmartCity Malta,
Ricasoli SCM 1001
Kalkara - MALTA
Email: sponsorships.mta@visitmalta.com

 

CRITERIA AND FUNDING:

 

Application Criteria

The Events Sponsorship Scheme objectives are:

 

  • Increase visitor numbers and expenditure.
  • Enhance the visitor's experience.
  • Ensure year-round activities targeting mostly off-peak or shoulder periods.
  • Attract media coverage that will help raise the profile of the Maltese Islands as a tourist destination (media impact).
  • Demonstrate future growth and sustainability
  • Generate local economic activity and development

 

 

General Information

 

  • The Sponsorship Committee's decisions are final and cannot be contested or appealed.
  • Applications are evaluated against the TESS criteria. It must be noted that funding is competitive and on some occasions, events that sufficiently meet the criteria may not be awarded funding.
  • Previous dealings with the event organiser and outcomes of previous events are also taken into consideration.
  • The MTA may request 50% of the sponsorship equivalent in complimentary tickets for any paying event/concert/theatre production.

 

 

ELIGIBILITY:

Funding Requests

 

  • If the request is for €5, 000 (Five Thousand Euro) or more in any year, applicants must provide a three-year business and marketing plan, except where a one-off event is being staged.
  • Applicants can apply for one, two or three years of funding, however applicants requesting multi-year funding must have at least one year of funding via the scheme for the event they are applying for.
  • In the case of a three year funding agreement, financial contribution will be granted on a reducing scale format with the objective that the event becomes self-sustaining and self-financing by the end of the third year.
  • It is strongly recommended that applicants ensure that the requested funding amount is proportionate in comparison to the total event budget and is allocated to defined activities that elevate and develop further the event.
  • Lower amounts than what is being requested by the applicants may be awarded.

 

 

INELIGIBLE APPLICATIONS:

Applications with the following will be deemed ineligible:

 

  • Events that require the total cost of the event or more, to be covered by the Tourism Events Sponsorship Scheme.
  • Any applications that do not submit their application using the application form and budget spreadsheet.
  • Unsigned applications
  • Applications with incomplete sections will not be considered for funding.
  • Events already in receipt of any other funding from a Government department/Ministry, entity or authority for the same event in the same year.
  • Funding requests for permanent infrastructure.
  • Applications will only be considered if submitted at least five months prior to the event or alternatively within an agreed timeframe. This will enable the authority to extract maximum exposure from the event.
  • The following types of events are not eligible for funding:

 

- Conferences

- Meetings

- Annual General Meetings

- Promotional/business exhibitions

- Exhibitions

- Expos (an expo is defined as an event which showcases products/services in a business to business environment. This also includes trade fairs, showings/demonstrations etc.)

- Conventions: and

- Trade Shows

 

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION:

  • Ensure you read all information contained in the 2019 Tourism Events Sponsorship Scheme guidelines.
  • Fill out your application using the following documents and ensure that you complete each section:

TESS Application
TESS Budget

  • It is the responsibility of the applicant to inform the Malta Tourism Authority of any change in the status or circumstances of the application regarding any date, location, event name and program changes.
  • Email applications to: sponsorships.mta@visitmalta.com  SUBJECT LINE: TESS - (insert event name)
  • Post applications to: Tourism Events Sponsorship Scheme, Events Sponsorship Scheme, Malta Tourism Authority, Suites 301-306, Building SCM 01 SmartCity Malta, Ricasoli SCM 1001 Kalkara - MALTA
  • Receipt Number: each applicant will be notified of a receipt number for their application/submission via an email.