Malta International Airport reports record mid-year traffic results for 2023, MIA CEO Alan Borg revealed in the company’s revised forecast.
In a recent press conference, he stated that traffic is expected to return to 2019 levels by the end of this year.
In the first half of 2023, MIA registered an impressive 3.43 million passengers. This figure not only surpasses 2019’s highs by 5.6% but also places MIA among the 48% of European airports whose mid-year passenger volumes exceeded pre-pandemic traffic.
The airport also reported a monthly seat load factors that hit a high of 86% in June, outperforming both 2022 and 2019 figures.
Despite global economic challenges, these results indicate a sustained interest in travel to the Maltese Islands. Borg, however, warned that the inflation and rising airfares, noted in a recent travel survey by the European Travel Commission, may begin to depress travel demand across Europe.
The CEO also highlighted the importance of maintaining momentum, stating:
“We are extremely satisfied with our mid-year performance, yet we cannot let our guards down if we are to maintain our momentum against expected headwinds. We remain committed to working with the Malta Tourism Authority on securing more connections for our islands, particularly since the recovery of our connectivity continues to lag behind that of passenger volumes.”
Malta Tourism Authority CEO, Carlo Micallef, praised the mid-year traffic performance and its positive impact on tourism numbers. He acknowledged that while capacity from Malta’s source markets is yet to fully recover, extensive marketing efforts and destination appeal are driving higher aircraft utilisation, therefor growing tourism numbers.
The press conference also highlighted Malta International Airport’s capital expenditure of approximately €8 million for the first six months of 2023.
This investment supports several ongoing projects around the terminal and airfield, including the expansion of Apron X, extensive rehabilitation of Runway 23-05, and the westward expansion of the terminal.
Article credits: https://lovinmalta.com/international/malta-international-airport-reports-record-traffic-surpassing-pre-pandemic-levels/
The Malta Tourism Authority has announced a partnership between VisitMalta and Giro d’Italia 2023.
The MTA will be the official sponsor for Giro d’Italia which will have the VisitMalta brand featured around the event in Italy in the coming weeks, starting from the 06th until 28th May 2023.
The MTA said that Malta will be promoted as a tourist destination, given international visibility, and will have the brand name amplificated on various media platforms.
Giro d’Italia was established in 1909 and has been a prestigious event within the cycling world ever since. The Giro d’Italia is also one of the most followed events internationally. In fact, the event is broadcasted in around 200 countries worldwide, reaching around 650 million TV viewers. In addition, social media sees around 4.2 million followers combined on all the event’s channels.
This year’s Giro will offer race coverage of a total of 3,448.6km, starting from Costa dei Trabocchi and finishing in Rome. VisitMalta will be featured on television, on multiple media platforms, and on the field visibility. There will also be a stand at the Open Village finish area where VisitMalta will welcome visitors.
During the press conference, Mr. Valerio Agnoli, former pro-cyclist and Visitmalta coordinator in Eolo-Kometa Sponsorships, presented the Giro d’Italia trophy won by Mr. Ivan Basso, two-time winner of the Giro d’Italia.
“Sports tourism forms an integral part of the diversification of our tourism product. This tourism niche will surely help us attract a different type of tourist who is interested in visiting the splendour of the Maltese Islands or moreover participate in a sporting event. By hosting sports events and providing facilities for visitors, Malta can continue attracting international athletes and coaches, which can help to raise the standard of sports in the country,” remarked Minister for Tourism Clayton Bartolo.
Mr. Carlo Micallef, CEO of the Malta Tourism Authority added that, “we are proud to showcase the VisitMalta brand at the Giro d’Italia 2023. This agreement falls within the parameters of Malta’s Tourism Strategy which is to strive for a stronger and more competitive tourism industry for the Maltese islands. By partnering with Giro d’Italia, the Malta Tourism Authority would be exposing the VisitMalta brand name to millions of viewers within the cycling world, whilst also focusing its efforts to enhance the Sports Tourism Niche in Malta and Gozo”.
“I am very happy today to announce that Visitmalta is our partner in Giro d’Italia. It will be a grand chance for us to have VisitMalta as a sponsor. I think that it will give Malta great visibility, by joining one of the best production of the Giro and of Italy together with Malta. Thank you very much and have a good Giro d’Italia,” stated Mr. Paolo Bellino, Sports Managing Director of RCS.
Article credits: https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2023-05-03/local-news/VisitMalta-becomes-an-official-partner-with-Giro-d-Italia-2023-6736251553
IMEX Frankfurt 2023
Exciting news! The team at Colours of Malta will be attending IMEX Frankfurt 2023 between 23rd and 25th May at stand number D120. If you’re interested in learning more about our creative approach to event planning and our commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences for our clients, we’d love to meet you!
Our team of experienced professionals will be available to answer any questions you may have and discuss how we can partner with you to create unique and authentic MICE experiences for your clients.
Don’t miss this opportunity to meet the Colours of Malta staff at IMEX Frankfurt 2023. Come and visit us at stand number D120. We can’t wait to see you there!
Contact us via email at Steve@com.com.mt or directly on Imex portal on https://imex-frankfurt.com/newfront/exhibitor/colours-of-malta
25 years of Colours of Malta VisitMalta Incentives & Meetings – ITALIAConosciamo le DMC: Colours of Malta, il valore di un operatore per la meeting industry.
DMC sono una risorsa per l’intero sistema turistico.
Sono loro il trait d’union con il territorio, anche per la meeting industry.
Ne è un esempio Colours of Malta, un DMC maltese specializzato nel segmento Mice che da 25 anni consente di pianificare con cura e dedizione eventi corporate, meeting e congressi.
I DMC (Destination Management Company) rivestono un’importanza fondamentale nel sistema di funzionamento del sistema turistico. Sono il punto di contatto con il territorio, con ciò che una destinazione offre, e permettono di immergersi appieno in ogni luogo.
Colours of Malta, un DMC per conoscere le sfumature dell’arcipelago.
Amare ciò che si fa, amare il proprio lavoro e puntare all’eccellenza. È questo il modo di pensare con cui Colours of Malta approccia il mercato e opera giorno dopo giorno dal 1997. Un DMC maltese che unisce efficienza e attenzione alle richieste del cliente, soprattutto laddove queste siano articolate e dunque ogni particolare faccia la differenza. Da 25 anni Colours of Malta si presenta come un’azienda fortemente orientata al segmento Mice (conferenze e incentive) con un ventaglio di proposte molto ampio, un team poliglotta e tanta creatività. Che si tratti di allestire una cena di gala con un tocco unconventional o di suggerire attività cariche di adrenalina, questo DMC sa disegnare un’esperienza su misura per potere scoprire Malta…oltre ogni aspettativa!
Nel tempo la passione si è evoluta in dedizione, numerosi i clienti soddisfatti e una voglia di crescere e migliorarsi che mai si esaurisce. Essere degli ‘event designer’ a Malta significa potere spaziare tra natura e storia, buon cibo e vita notturna: un piccolo mondo che cambia pur mantenendo intatta la propria autenticità…e Colours of Malta sa bene come coglierne ogni sfumatura.
Leggete l’articolo completo di VisitMalta qui.
Colours of Malta wins Leader in Quality Tourism Award
We are proud to announce that Colours of Malta won the Leader in Quality Tourism Award supported by Malta Tourism Authority at the Malta Business Awards.
Due to the current climate and the clients demands for sustainable events, Colours of Malta felt the necessity to provide a programme in line with ISO2021 sustainability management system for creating sustainable events. In view of this, all staff have been trained to monitor system performance including internal reviews and suppliers.
Click here to view the official corporate video from Awards Night from this 1st edition.
An incentive at the salt pans in GozoHere’s how we set up the Xwejni salt pans in Gozo for a French group of 300 people on the 6th of May.
The salt pans in Gozo’s northerly coast just up from Marsalforn are a transfixing landmark and of vital importance, upholding an ancient trade and skill, whilst harvesting one of Gozo’s important natural raw materials – Salt. The salt pans are ingrained in the Gozitan tradition of sea salt production, a custom that has been passed down within local families for generations. During the summer months, locals can be seen scraping off salt crystals from the rock face, all collected, processed and packaged by hand!
The Phoenicians formed these salt pans to create the highly coveted salt mineral. The pans were later renovated by the Romans and then propagated by the Gozitans. This site is believed to be the world’s oldest working salt pans. Sea water fills the crevices in coastline and is left to settle for eight days. Then, it is moved to smaller salt pans that are warmer and further away from the sea. The salt crystals give a reddish hue in the beginning of the drying process as they begin to form.
Xwejni’s salt pans chequerboard pattern and shimmering mirrored reflective pools are always a dynamic sight to behold. Spanning several kilometres across Gozo’s northern coast. Today they are divided between 3 salt farmers. The intricate formation of shallow square pools and larger feeder pools.
Malta’s Roberta Metsola Wins European Parliament President Election
Roberta Metsola has officially won the election to become the next European Parliament President.
Metsola beat out three other candidates in the first round of voting, getting the required 50%+1 majority from all MEPs. Metsola had the support of three of the biggest EU political parties, the EPP, the S&D, and Renew.
She won 458 votes of 616 eligible votes in parliament, winning on the first round of voting.
Lovin Malta is informed that Metsola will give a press conference at 12pm.
Metsola has made history today, by not only becoming the youngest ever President, but by occupying the most important role any Maltese person has had on the international stage.
She will occupy the role for at least another two and a half years.
Who is Roberta Metsola?
Metsola, a major figure within the Nationalist Party, needs little introduction to a Maltese audience.
Metsola got elected to the European Parliament in 2013, ten years after she first got into EU politics, after Simon Busuttil relinquished his MEP post to become leader of the Nationalist Party.
A year later, she retained her seat after winning over 32,000 first-count votes at the next MEP election, making her the PN’s most popular candidate and the second most popular national candidate. She increased that margin by the time 2019 rolled around.
In November 2020, Metsola was elected as First Vice-President of the European Parliament replacing Mairead McGuinness who became European Commissioner.
As an MEP, Metsola has focused heavily on irregular migration, presenting landmark proposals that could make the Mediterranean a safer place for everyone.
Metsola also worked hard to finally address SLAPP lawsuits, which sees powerful figures look to silence journalists and citizens with vexatious multi-million euro law suits. She’s also tackled topics ranging from LGBT+ rights and AI regulation to media freedom and foreign affairs.
What does the European Parliament President do?
The role of the European Parliament President is similar to that of the Speaker of national parliaments.
Metsola will get to open plenary debates in Strasbourg, sometimes even with her own speech, instruct MEPs when it is their turn to speak, ensure parliamentary procedures are properly followed, direct voting procedures and announce voting results.
Her signature will be required for EU laws and the EU budget to pass.
She will also chair the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament, where presidents of the EP’s political groups convene to draw up the parliament’s agenda.
Metsola will also be given some bureaucratic responsibilities, chairing the Bureau of the European Parliament, which discusses administrative and budgetary issues in collaboration with the 14 Vice-Presidents and five Quaestors.
Most importantly, as president, Metsola will essentially be the face of the Parliament when dealing with the outside world, including discussions with leaders of EU member states, other countries, NGOs and associations and other EU institutions.
She will represent the parliament in all legal matters and at all international fora, including at European Council meetings, where she will deliver the EP’s views to heads of state and government of the EU’s 27 member states, including Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela.
This will mean she will be involved in international politics at the highest level.
Article credits: https://lovinmalta.com/ewropej/roberta-metsola-wins-european-parliament-president-election/
MTA Wins Big In London’s Travel Industry AwardsThe Malta Tourism Authority has once again been awarded the ‘Tourist Board of the Year’ Award at the prestigious Travel Industry Awards 2021 by TTG held in London. This is the fourth time that this prestigious award was won by the MTA after successfully clinching the trophy in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2021.
The Travel Industry Awards by TTG, in association with Virgin Atlantic, brought the travel community together to celebrate the businesses that have grown stronger through the Covid-19 crisis, and helped to highlight the most trusted travel brands for consumers.
In a year of setbacks and challenges for travel, companies and individuals have been tested to their limits. Yet rather than lose heart, they have faced the pandemic and fought back, supporting their customers, and proving their steadfastness, adaptability and innovative thinking.
“I am so pleased that MTA UK & Ireland were named Tourist Board of the Year 2021 at the TTG Travel Industry Awards this week. The team have worked hard with our trade partners and travel agents throughout the past 18 months to train them up on Malta, Gozo and Comino and what we have to offer their clients. Our work with our trade partners despite the difficult situation was ongoing, robust and agile and the team have overcome many hurdles to ensure our relationships stay strong and have endured the hard times. I could not be prouder that their hard work has been recognised and want to thank them for their ongoing dedication to promoting our beautiful islands,” Tolene Van Der Merwe, Director of the MTA UK Office stated.
“Having the Malta Tourism Authority receiving such an important award is of sterling news for the hospitality industry. Considering the challenges of kickstarting a tourism industry that was hit by the worst crisis in history, it can be said that tourism traffic to the Maltese Islands progressively improved week after week and numbers are growing still even though the traditional peak of summer has now passed. In the light of this encouraging results, I would like to congratulate MTA’s Director in the UK and her hardworking team for doing their part in strengthening Malta’s touristic prospects in the UK market. The perseverance and commitment displayed in the past months is a pure showcase of how the Malta Tourism Authority is turning challenges into new opportunities for the years to come,” remarked Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection Clayton Bartolo.
“We are extremely proud of the UK market team in London and in Malta who have once again proven to share the same resilience, determination and work ethic which has become somewhat synonymous with the Maltese people, even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic. The two teams have worked hard to keep Malta and Gozo on top of mind with the UK trade and public throughout the pandemic to make the recovery phase as fast as possible. It is these qualities that have made our UK office shine through once again during this year’s Travel Industry Awards. We look forward to continuing our work in the United Kingdom, which is Malta’s biggest market after the positive start that we have had, despite all the challenges,” Carlo Micallef, Deputy CEO and Chief Marketing Officer of the MTA stated.
Article credits: https://www.mta.com.mt/en/news-details/325
Colours of Malta receives the QA sealThe Quality Assured (QA) seal is a Malta Tourism Authority voluntary quality recognition scheme aimed at businesses offering high levels of quality, consistency and professionalism. The QA seal covers three key tourism business operations, namely restaurants, visitor attractions and destination management companies (DMCs). The participating businesses are assessed either annually or once every two years.
The QA seal was launched in 2008 for DMCs and in 2009 the first companies were awarded. In 2010 the first visitor attractions were awarded and in 2015 the first restaurants were awarded. Colours of Malta are proud to have been awarded the QA Seal since its conception.
The criteria are specific to each category and different methods of assessment are used. The seal is awarded once the QA Monitoring Committee of each category receives and approves the assessor’s report.
See more at: http://www.qualityassuredmalta.com
