From the MTA Chief Executive Officer
Another Good Year
This time last year, we were looking back on 2016 which had just ended with a
justifiable sense of achievement. The official NSO statistics for the year, that would
become available some two or three weeks later, would confirm that we had come
tantalisingly close to the 2 million visitor landmark figure a year ahead of schedule,
since this was the declared objective for 2017. Now, twelve months down the line, we
are looking back at 2017, with a pleasantly familiar set of emotions: pride, satisfaction,
a sense of achievement, a positive outlook. This kind of déjà vu scenario is the kind
that we don’t mind having to repeat every year, for as long as possible.
T
he
Malta Tourism Authority is very
pleased with the remarkable re-
sults achieved during the first ten
months of this year, in particu-
lar with the fact that the positive
results are spread across various
performance indicators. Now that
Valletta 2018 is round the cor-
ner, it is satisfying to note that the
build up of marketing towards it
has generated a positive effect for
the Maltese Islands.
HOSPITALITY MALTA
Surveys carried out by the Author-
ity indicate that Valletta being the
European City for Culture has
intrigued respondents to choose
Malta and visit Valletta. Survey
indicate that in 2017 around €84
million of tourist expenditure
generated can be directly attribut-
ed to the Valletta 2018 effect.
Valletta 2018 is just part of a more
widespread success. In 2017, in-
creases were registered in total in-
bound visitors, total nights spent
and total tourism expenditure.
Moreover, by the end of November,
tourist trips had surpassed the 2.2
million mark, an increase of 15.7%
over the same period in 2016.
The issue of seasonality is being
addressed. As can be witnessed
both by the latest statistics as well as
through first hand feedback from
industry stakeholders, the winter
months are no longer prohibitive.
Furthermore, the demographic
mix that is setting foot on our is-
lands is very positive. We are happy
to note that younger generations
Issue 03
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