Deputy Prime Minister welcomes record tourism results, calls for superior visitor experiences

The 2024 National Tourism Conference, hosted by the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA), focused on shaping the future of Malta’s tourism industry, with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg emphasizing the need for quality and sustainability as the key drivers of growth.

The event coincided with record-breaking tourism figures, as the National Statistics Office and MTA announced a 19.5% increase in tourist arrivals compared to the previous year and a 23.1% rise in tourist expenditure, reaching €3.3 billion—an average of €924 per visitor.

Deputy Prime Minister Borg highlighted Malta’s remarkable recovery from the pandemic, noting that while Europe saw a 1% rise in tourism since 2019, Malta’s tourism surged by 29% in the same period.

“Our strategy is clear—quality and sustainability must be at the core of tourism development,” he stated. “We must ensure long-term returns on investment, a healthy environmental setting, and a balanced relationship between residents and tourists.”

Looking ahead, the Government aims to:

Enhance establishment classifications and enforce compliance.

Invest in workforce training to maintain hospitality excellence.

Improve airline connectivity to attract high-value long-haul visitors and diversify Malta’s tourism market.

“We have a strong foundation and the opportunity to refine our industry, strengthening the aspects we value most while minimizing those that do not align with our vision,” Borg concluded.

The conference also featured MTA Chairman Charles Mangion, MTA CEO Carlo Micallef, and UN Tourism Director of Sustainable Development Dirk Glaesser, who contributed insights on sustainable tourism growth.