Travel Bulletin, the UK’s leading travel trade brand, delivering news, training, and eLearning amongst other things, organised the first StarAwards Ceremony in three years, celebrating the ‘shining stars’ of the industry, voted for by Travel Bulletin readers.
Over 30 awards, split into seven different categories were presented on the 31st of October at a star-studded event in Central London, including the Best LGBTQ Destination award, which was presented to the Malta Tourism Authority team of the UK Office.
“Across the globe, Malta is recognized as a champion when it comes to LGBTIQ rights. The progressive and liberal programme that the Maltese Government embarked on for the past nine years has shifted the Maltese Islands into a welcoming country to visitors coming from every strata in society all year round. We are looking forward to celebrate this successful story next year by hosting Europride in our capital city Valletta during September 2023,” outlined Minister for Tourism Clayton Bartolo.
“Being recognised as the best marketing campaign of an LGBTQ Destination is once again another feather in the cap for the Marketing team at Head Office and the team at the MTA UK Office and their 360-degree approach in promoting the Maltese Islands as an ideal destination for various demographics,” Mr Carlo Micallef, CEO of the Malta Tourism Authority said, adding that “it also sets the pace for a very exciting 2023 which will see Malta as the host for Europride, which tied with Malta’s consecutive top positioning on the ILGA Rainbow Index makes a perfect combination.”
MTA UK Office Director Tolene van der Merwe said that "throughout our campaigns this year, we have been emphasising on Malta's inclusivity and diversity, focusing also on the warm welcome that the LGBTQ community will receive next year in Valletta during Europride 2023. Almost two-thirds (63%) of British people believe it’s important to choose a holiday destination based on its acceptance of diversity, and we truly feel that there is no better time than 2023 to discover Malta."