Destination Report Malta HEADQUARTERS is a special edition of Headquarters Magazine - Published by Meeting Media Company (Europe) www.meetingmediagroup.com - [email protected] September 2015 THE MALTESE ISLANDS STARS ON THE RISE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN > Introduction Vella Clive THE MALTESE ISLANDS: © MALTA, GOZO AND COMINO A Rising Meetings Destination in the Mediterranean The Three Cities and the Grand Harbour Malta may be one of the smallest countries in Europe, but it also boasts quite a dynamic history spanning 7,000 years of rule and conquest passing from the Romans, Knights of the Order of St. John and Napoleon to the English in more recent times. Almost everywhere you look on the Maltese archipelago you’ll find remnants of the islands’ past, from the Megalithic temples to the Baroque churches and palaces constructed by the knights. With the ability to transform almost any historic site into a stunning venue, it’s no surprise Malta is capitalizing on its culture and emerging as one of the top new meeting destinations in the Mediterranean. Report Lane Nieset Located in the middle of the Mediterranean capital of Mdina and you’re instantly trans- important characteristic in our daily lives. We between Sicily and northern Africa, the ported back in time to a fortified city that’s also share a culture of discipline which was Maltese archipelago includes the three maintained the same narrow winding streets brought about by the influence of the British inhabited islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino. it had 1,000 years ago. rule which lasted 150 years. Whilst our history It’s believed that humans first made their way has influenced and shaped considerably our to Malta in 5,000 B.C., crossing a land bridge Gozo, meanwhile, is just a 25-minute culture, we are also Mediterranean but most connected to Sicily. Now you can cross from ferry ride away, but the island seems even importantly, we are Maltese. We are an island Sicily to Malta’s capital city of Valletta in more removed from modern-day life than nation and we care to share all that is unique 90 minutes on a high-speed catamaran. mainland Malta. With its red-sand beaches, to us with any foreign guest- whether it is a tourist, friend or relative. We strive to deliver MTA HAS A SUBVENTION SCHEME IN PLACE TO ASSIST an ‘experience’ in all we do and share our INTERNATIONAL AND EUROPEAN ASSOCIATIONS HOST THEIR hospitality even with something as simple as CONVENTIONS IN MALTA OR GOZO a smile.’ While Malta may seem modern compared to spectacular dive sites and coastal walks, The fortified city of Valletta has come a long some of the more rustic spots dotting sister it’s no wonder the Maltese head here way in the past few years. Built in 1566 by island Gozo’s countryside and coastlines, the for a true island getaway that still offers the knights after the Great Siege, the World country has still maintained many of its histori- the characteristic culture and charming Heritage City was placed strategically on cal elements and treasures. In the cosmopoli- hospitality the country is known for. the Sceberras peninsula offering sweeping tan town of St. Julian’s, you’ll find a mix of city views from the Upper Barrakka Gardens, and sea, with private beaches and restaurants, INGRAINED HOSPITALITY which look onto the Grand Harbour. While a strip of five-star hotels, and state-of-the-art Antonella Micallef, M.I.C.E. Manager of home to Malta’s administrative and political meeting facilities at Hilton Malta, which can Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) puts it like organisations, the capital city was falling accommodate anywhere from 10 to 1,400 del- this: ‘As a destination, we are very well known into disrepair with buildings in major need egates. Head just 20 minutes away to the old for our hospitality which in itself is a very of a facelift. 2 HEADQUARTERS - SEPTEMBER 2015 >Introduction Mario Galea © Mdina Palazzo Falson Gharb Square Walking through the pedestrian-friendly city FAST FActS ON THE training providers, ensuring event and desti- now you’ll notice major changes underway as MALTESE ISLANDS nation management quality. Valletta gears up to be the European Capital of • Malta International Airport: 20 min- Culture in 2018. Construction is taking place to utes from five-star hotels in St. Julian’s, Last year, Malta ranked 32nd in Europe in the bring new life into the city restoring landmarks 15 minutes from capital city Valletta ICCA rankings, hosting 30 meetings throughout like Is-Suq tal-Belt, the indoor covered market • English is the official business language the year. Micallef says while there are a number and Strait Street, transforming it into a mecca • Venues hosting up to 10,000 delegates of corporate conferences taking place in Malta, of cultural activities. Homes that are hundreds • Conference centres accommodating they’ve also seen an increase in association of years old are also getting a facelift as 2,000 to 5,000 pax conferences and with Conventions Malta, they hoteliers move in to convert the buildings into • 15 five-star hotels with over 7,000 total can now give these conferences the attention boutique hotels, upping the number of rooms beds they deserve. “There’s also a good connections available in the historic city. • Over 40 four-star hotels with more than network in Malta, especially within the tourism 14,000 beds industry itself,” Micallef explains. “We foster A NEW LOOK AT ASSOCIATIONS • 18 Quality Assured Destination these relation ships, especially with the suppliers.” Since 2012, MTA has had a subventions Management Companies scheme in place assisting international and • Over 100 direct flights on 34 airlines, Paul Bugeja, MTA’s CEO says: ‘In the past, focus European associations who don’t have a local most under three hours from major was predominately on C&IT Travel; in 2014 a counterpart to bring their convention to the European hubs total of 86,000 C&IT delegates visited the islands Maltese Islands during shoulder months (from • Connectivity by sea: 25-minutes by out of a total of 1,689,809 tourists. MICE is and November to March). Now with the creation ferry to Gozo, 90 minutes by high-speed will still be considered a very important niche of Conventions Malta, the organisation is catamaran to Sicily market. Our aim is to continue building on the reviewing schemes and coming up with new • 300 days of sunshine destinations reputable past and allow further ones to see what the best offer could be for room for growth. The creation of Conventions international associations. But through these visitor attractions and has created a Quality Malta will initiate a more comprehensive schemes, MTA and Conventions Malta has Assurance Scheme to reward companies approach towards Association meetings and shown that they’ve created a local knowledge who have shown high levels of quality, conventions. We already have a record of asso- and established a position as a central organ- consistency and professionalism. Currently, ciation events which have been held in our des- isation ready to assist association planners. there are 18 DMCs who have earned this seal tination, however, Conventions Malta will help of approval and work alongside entertain- create awareness and generate new relation- MTA also works closely with local destination ment specialists, outside caterers, audio- ships with International and local Associations management companies, restaurants and visual professionals, and team building and willing to host their events in Malta or Gozo.’ HEADQUARTERS - SEPTEMBER 2015 3 > Interview FOUR QUESTIONS TO PAUL BUGEJA The former president of the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association, Paul Bugeja, was elected one year ago as CEO of the Malta Tourism Authority. Now with the launch of Conventions Malta, which was proposed and pursued during Mr. Bugeja’s tenure, he explains how this will help put Malta on the map as an association destination. What makes Malta stand out in the Convention Centre, which can hold up to Mediterranean as a destination for inter- 11,000 people for a standing reception. Most national associations? of the conference hotels offer onsite facilities Malta has a vast and intriguing history that and are clustered within walking distance of Paul Bugeja spans over 7,000 years, and in just a few one another in areas like St. Julians. days, visitors can walk through this his- tory exploring our unique historical sites With MTA’s Subvention Scheme, flights are three hours or less from major and buildings. The island is home to three international and European associations European gateways. There are currently UNESCO World Heritage sites: the historic receive assistance and support with the over 92 routes connecting Malta with a capital city Valletta, the seven megalithic bidding process, endorsement letters, total of 84 cities, and additional routes temples, and the hypogeum. site inspections and more when hosting were launched this year. their events here during the shoulder The Maltese Islands are centrally located in months. The government also launched There is also the advantage that being so the heart of the Mediterranean and easy to Conventions Malta in May, acting as the small, we have easy access to the higher reach by direct flight or sea. The temperate foundation for the promotion of foreign authorities. If a DMC would wish to orga- Mediterranean climate is another selling conventions and congresses. nize an event in a palace or venue closed factor, as well as the hospitable attitude to the general public, they would come to of the people here. English is an official How does Malta’s rich history and land- us and we could speed up the process.