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
Gulia is also a firm believer in empowering his team,
so board meetings are an opportunity for his senior
managers and managers to also present their work.
This has given a more relaxed and convival atmosphere
at Board Meetings, which end up being more fruitful
and positive – mind you, Dr Gulia reiterates that this
approach is not a ploy to further transmit a message
of all being well but a way to give more visibility and
accountability to his team. The Authority does have its
challenges but since the restructuring, Dr Gulia feels
that the atmosphere is much more positive.
Multi-dimensional experiences
Dr Gulia believes that empowering team players
enhances management performance.
Federated Assocation of Travel and Tourism Agents
(FATTA) and Gozo Tourism Association (GTA).
Board meetings are dominated by a series of presenta-
tions which are done by Dr Gulia or his chiefs.
Empowering the team
Dr Gulia explains that the team is always under strong
scrutiny so it is imperative that the team explains, and
justifies in good detail what the Authority is doing.Dr
16
Issue 05
I ask Dr Gulia whether his education and experienc-
es in Law assist him in his roles, and particularly so
in his focus on Regulation. Dr Gulia agrees whole-
heartedly that they do. This is an area that he could
associate with automatically due to his familiarity with
regulatory matters. The regulatory experience from
his years as a practicing lawyer definitely come in
handy particularly in the field of compliance. Between
Chapter 409 of the Laws of Malta on the Travel and
Tourism Services act, and the multitude of legal no-
tices from which compliance emanates – hotels, res-
taurants, the products offered, sizes of rooms etc, Dr
Gulia has an in-bred and clear insight of the routes
that govern the tourism regime itself. His knowl-
edge had enabled him to hit the ground running,
HOSPITALITY MALTA