Tourism results have heightened and Malta has become more connected and accessible than ever.
Dr Gulia continues to explain that this is a three
pronged approach – Demand, Supply and Regulatory;
Mr Leslie Vella is responsible for Strategy and Route
Development, and is responsible for establishing as
many new routes as possible – a role that is considered
to be a very vital one as securing airline connections
has become indispensable. Recent figures prove that
results have heightened and that Malta has thus indeed
become better connected and accessible. Obviously
this role ties in with Marketing - “there is no point of
creating a new route, when this route is not marketed
well,” Dr Gulia argued. This role has been entrusted to
Mr. Carlo Micallef. The Regulatory aspect which in-
cludes enforcement, finances, human resources, legal
office and MTA Gozo are handled by Dr Gulia himself.
Of course both Leslie Vella and Carlo Micallef report
to the Executive Chairman.
The hierarchy does not only look at the internal work-
ings of management but also does so from an external
perspective – “it is a fair reflection as to how the tour-
ism industry plays out there; it is not solely a question
of bringing tourists to Malta but also one of licensing
the operators and stakeholders and making sure they
comply with the local rules and regulations.” The hi-
erarchy includes a Management Board which is made
up of the deputy CEOs and their directors who meet
up on a regular basis.
With regards to accountability Dr Gulia clarifies that
whilst he holds the position of Executive Chairman,
he is still accountable to a Board of Directors which
is represented by Government appointed members,
as well as by members who are directly appointed by
the industry – Malta International Airport (MIA),
Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA),
So far this approach seems to be producing very pos-
itive results.
When asked on how the strategic management struc-
ture works and how the Authority operates, Dr Gulia
went on to explain that from a management point of
view each Chief has a number of directors reporting to
him. Whilst Dr Gulia’s responsibilities are considered
to be territorial, the others are more external.
HOSPITALITY MALTA
there is no point of creating a new route,
when this route is not marketed well
Issue 05
15