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Malta Tourism Authority named best tourism board in Europe
Malta Tourism Authority named best tourism board in Europe
The Malta Tourism Authority has been named as the Best Tourism Board in Europe, picking up a gold and two silver, for the Best Destination in the Mediterranean and another for the the Best Travel Agency Academy Programme, at the 2021 Travvy Awards.
The awards, which are hosted by TravAlliancemedia, are in their seventh year, having quickly earned a reputation as the Academy Awards of the travel industry. The ceremony was held last Wednesday, 10 November, in Miami Beach Florida and it aims to recognise the top suppliers, destinations, technology providers and attractions, as selected by those who know them best: travel agents.
“Receiving three Travvy Awards is a huge honour for Malta and is especially meaningful post-pandemic,” said Michelle Buttigieg, MTA North America representative. “We especially want to thank TravAlliance for their support and all the wonderful travel agents who continue to show such great interest in learning about and selling Destination Malta. This has enabled Malta to expand and strengthen its marketing and public relations efforts in the American market. Now is a good time to send clients to Malta because its open again, safe, with so much to offer, from festivals to various luxury experiences,” she added.
Michelle Buttigieg, Malta Tourism Authority Representative, North America with Maura Lee Byrne, Sr. Vice President & Publisher, North Star Travel Group
Photo: Vitaliy Piltser
Since the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) re-opened its representation in North America back in 2014, tourism from the US market, pre-COVID, quadrupled.
“Having the MTA winning three prestigious awards in the US travel industry is encouraging news. Malta’s work to continue tapping into the US market forms an integral part in diversifying our touristic product. These awards shall serve as a motivational tool for more hard work, both from the MTA and the Tourism Ministry. Our firm vision is that of making Malta a hub of tourism excellence in the years to come, said Clayton Bartolo, tourism minister.
“The road is an ambitious one, but together we can make it happen,” he added.
Carlo Micallef, deputy CEO and CMO of the MTA added that the Authority is grateful to have received such coveted awards in the competitive American market. This indicates that travel agents have kept Malta in the forefront of their minds, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. “These awards also reflect MTA’s commitment to travel agent training,” he said.
