This week we walked along the Valletta streets to visit one of our top catering partners at the Casino Maltese, also known as the Knight’s Treasury.

The Casino Maltese is a social club that was created in the 1850s and is today still operating as both a social club and also one of Malta’s top event venues.

Brian Calleja, Director of Sales and Diane Farrugia, Head of Sales on the MICE market at Corinthia Caterers explained to us the versatility of this historical venue as we went down memory lane and reminisced on all the fabulous events we hosted together at this elegant venue.

We can’t wait to be walking down the streets of Valletta with groups again very soon!

UNESCO established its Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage with the aim of ensuring better protection of important intangible cultural heritages worldwide and the awareness of their significance.

Malta is set to now feature on this list as two Maltese Icons have now been accepted to the list, according to Minister Jose Herrera.

These are, the Traditional Maltese Ftira and the Maltese Festas. The Maltese Ftira is something that the Maltese hold dearly as part of their history and culture. A disc-shaped semi-flat bread made with flour, water and salt is reminiscent of a ciabatta in both texture and taste, but is uniquely different at the same time. The Maltese ftira makes for a simple, fast and delicious snack, especially when filled with the right fresh ingredients.

Ftira, like most simple bread foods around the world, takes its origins from the working people hundreds of years ago who made the most of the resources they had. Most towns and villages in Malta had a communal oven at the time where everyone from the area would bake their bread. The communal ovens may have been lost through the ages but the delectable ftira bread that was made there certainly hasn’t.

The Maltese village festa is the distilled essence of all that is Mediterranean in one event. These feasts combine colourful lights, band music, noisy and bright fireworks displays, and a crowd of hundreds spilling out of bars onto the noisy streets into one orgy of celebration. It’s an unforgettable experience of food, drink, music and fanfare.

Festas are held mainly between the months of May and September, although there are a few exceptions. Every village has at least one patron saint, and this serves as the basis for the village feast. On the appointed time of the year, that village will festoon the streets with statues and banners dedicated to the saint, and throughout the entire week, locals and tourists turn up in droves to enjoy the festivities.

Moreover, the Minister said that Mdina and Gozo’s Cittadella have been submitted for consideration to the UNESCO so that they can be including in the Tangible Heritage List, while the cliffs on the northern side of the Island are to be submitted for consideration on the Environmental Heritage List.

Article credits: https://bay.com.mt/the-unesco-intangible-heritage-list-now-features-these-two-iconic-maltese-additions/

Nestled on the imposing St Barbara Bastions in Valletta, this project, that took 7 years to come to life is Fabulously designed and decorated and its suites boast imposing Grand Harbour Views.

Each suite is uniquely finished to the highest of standards, whilst Ion – The Harbour restaurant offers bespoke breakfast or dinner cuisine surrounded by world-class design and unrivalled views of the Grand Harbour.

When we met Mark he confidently told us that this project will be the ‘Top Luxury Experience in Malta but also a home away from home.’

We wish this Group the best of luck and we hope to work with their professional staff in the very near future.

To learn more about Iniala Group and its philanthropy click on : https://www.inialagroup.com/

The Westin Dragonara Resort has been named the Mediterranean’s leading resort at a prestigious award ceremony for the tourism sector.

The St Julian’s hotel resort, which recently underwent a €40 million renovation, won the prize at the 27th annual World Travel Awards. It is the second time the Dragonara has won the award, following a victory in 2013.

The World Travel Awards have been described as the “Oscars” of the global travel and tourism industry and are recognised globally as a hallmark of excellence in the hospitality sector.

Find the full article here: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/westin-dragonara-wins-prize-at-world-travel-awards.829015 

Boasting a wide and spacious hull, a beautiful design allover and 6 cabins, this new addition is definitely what Malta needed to add to it’s exciting portfolio of activities.

It can be used for day cruises, sunset cruises, dinners on board, private charters, team building activities, relaxation time, leisure time, meetings on board and much more.

Malta’s capital city Valletta ranked 5th in the ‘Best Cities in the World’ category of Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers Choice Awards 2020.

Now in its 33rd edition, this annual survey is based entirely on votes received from the magazine’s numerous readers, many of whom are keen travellers. In a brief description that accompanies the results, Valletta is lauded for the beauty of its baroque architecture and the fact that it was designated European Capital of Culture in 2018.

Some of the accommodation, gastronomy and sightseeing opportunities on offer in Malta’s capital city are also highlighted.

Condé Nast Traveler is a luxury and lifestyle travel magazine published by global media company Condé Nast.

San Miguel de Allende, in Mexico, was top of the list followed by Chiang Mai in Thailand, Merida in Mexico and Monte Carlo in Monaco.

Find the full article here: https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2020-10-11/local-news/Valletta-ranks-fifth-on-Conde-Nast-s-Best-Cities-List-6736227713?fbclid=IwAR3zhBAB7HieHvKrOWxxyrQQs8-kBBC-buomX4auHszZTH48EGqEIqr1z6I

Conventions Malta created a set of user-friendly infographics which include the most relevant protocols and guidelines for MICE activities in Malta. It is particularly aimed at helping you and your clients in simplifying the rules and regulations that are in place.

https://issuu.com/visitmalta/docs/cm_covid_infographic_final

https://www.conventionsmalta.com/en-GB/news/protocols-infographic/2133

It is important to note that it is always advisable to send an email on [email protected] should you have any queries about the risk assessment or about a group that you’re hosting.

Last Saturday, Hyatt Regency Malta officially opened its doors to guests. The new 151-room hotel, located in the heart of St Julian’s, combines modern architecture with Maltese heritage, seeking to merge the past with the present.

The hotel, which forms part of the international brand Hyatt Regency, has seen around €45 million invested over the past months, according to a Tourism Ministry press release.

The statement goes on to say that investment took place after the operators secured a licence to operate by the Malta Tourism Authority, which in turn noted that the hotel received a 5-star operating licence as it exhibited the highest standards. The hotel is locally employing some 100 workers.

Albert Galea, BayStreet Group CEO said: “It gives us great pleasure to open the first Hyatt-branded property in Malta, we have seen this project through from negotiation to opening and managed the build of this spectacular property in record time thanks to the dedication of the team and investors. We eagerly await the arrival of our guests and are confident that we will deliver on the Hyatt promise to make travel free from stress and filled with success.”

The hotel is located on Sqaq Lourdes Street, across the road from the BayStreet complex.

Hotel manager Mark Vella added: “We are opening during challenging times but we are fortunate to have a great team working hard to provide local and international guests with energising experiences, all the while maintaining the high standards of the responsible and empathetic service that the Hyatt Regency brand is known for.”

The hotel offers a full range of services and amenities, with its design geared towards catering for productivity and stress-free stays.

The property houses an indoor and rooftop swimming pool, a spa by Carisma Spa & Wellness and the Hyatt StayFit Gym with state-of-the-art cardio and strength training equipment.

Business travelers at Hyatt Regency Malta will furthermore benefit from 479 square metres of flexible meeting, event and exhibition space which can accommodate from 10 to 200 guests

The hotel boasts three bars and restaurants, led by award winning executive chef Noel Azzopardi.

Seed, the main restaurant, overlooks the piazza and the historical Augustinian priory and is open all day. The rooftop bar by the pool, GIN-ger, caters for snacks and drinks against the backdrop of St George’s Bay. Lastly, Thyme, set just off the hotel’s lobby, caters for coffee and nibbles.

Within this new reality, we come to appreciate that small is also beautiful.  Boutique accommodations offer comforts, luxuries and intimate surroundings, away from the hustle and bustle of crowds and large numbers, meaning lower risks and ideal for a personal break, small incentive or for an exclusive corporate meeting.

Our islands boast several such properties located including historical palazzos in quaint streets, that are eagerly waiting to welcome you back.