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Malta Tourism Authority

Malta Tourism Authority wins Silver award in three categories at the Annual Travvy Awards

During the period January to November 2015 Malta received 24,829 tourists from the USA, an increase of 15.1% equivalent to 3,254 more tourists when compared to the same period last year.

The Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) has won the silver award in all three categories of the Annual Travvy Awards which were held by travAlliancemedia at a Gala Awards night in New York City, on January  6th, 2016. The three categories for which MTA has received the silver award are – The Best Luxury Destination Europe, The Best Luxury Destination Overall, and for the individual award categories, Most Innovative Tourism Executive Europe, Michelle Buttigieg, MTA US Representative.

The 2016 Travvy Awards recognizes the highest standards of excellence in the Industry today and honors travel companies, travel products, travel agencies, travel executives, travel agents and destinations for their outstanding achievement.


From left to right: H.E. Christopher Grima, Malta Ambassador for the UN, Ms Michelle Buttigieg, MTA representative in USA and Mr Mark Murphy, Founder & CEO of TravAlliancemedia).


The Malta Tourism Authority, through a myriad of marketing efforts, has been very pro-active in the US market during 2015. Among other initiatives, the MTA has expanded the number of tour operators that include Malta in their itineraries as well as increased the number of nights spent in Malta on these programs. This travel industry push, combined with targeting the US media by promoting Malta in all its diversity, has already yielded excellent results. During the period January to November 2015 Malta received 24,829 tourists from the USA, an increase of 15.1% equivalent to 3,254 more tourists when compared to the same period last year. Total nights spent amounted to 200,821 representing an increase of 16.8% over the corresponding period in 2014.

Paul Bugeja, CEO, Malta Tourism Authority, stated “the MTA is extremely pleased to receive such coveted awards in the competitive American market. It is less than two years since MTA re-established its presence in the US with the appointment of Michelle Buttigieg as its representative based in New York City. These awards show that Malta has already made a major impact in the travel agent community. The MTA is particularly pleased that over the last two years we have seen an increase of 36% in arrivals, with main increases in bed nights being experienced during 2015. It is worth noting that American travelers spend 40% more than the per capita average registered overall”.


Ms Michelle Buttigieg, the MTA representative in USA, who won the silver award in Most Innovative Tourism Executive – Europe.

Mr. Bugeja added that “the MTA will endeavor to enhance its marketing efforts being carried out in the American market, as well as continue to work with and support tour operator partners so as to ensure increased tour operator promotion and sales. We shall also continue to reach out to corporate and agencies so as to increase MICE business”.

Also, Malta was named #3 on the prestigious New York Times “52 Places to Go in 2016”  list in its Sunday Travel Section scheduled to come out January 10, 2016. A European country situated between Sicily and the North African coast, has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Valletta, Malta’s capital, was named the European Capital of Culture 2018.

An excerpt from The New York Times describes Malta as, “An affordable Mediterranean playground with a superb climate, sublime beaches, megalithic temples and a distinctive crossroads culture.” The article further described the Archipelago, “There are three inhabited islands to explore – Malta, home to buzzing Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage city of stunning limestone buildings; Gozo, more tranquil and with a dramatic coastline filled with great spots for diving; and idyllic, car-free Comino, which has one hotel and few residents.”

Paul Bugeja, CEO, Malta Tourism Authority, stated “We are very pleased that Malta was named number three by such a prestigious newspaper as the New York Times. Since reestablishing a Malta Tourism Authority presence in the US two years ago, we have seen an increase in the number of Americans visiting Malta, however, now with this New York Times Travel Section spotlight, we will lure even more visitors from the US to discover the ‘hidden gem’ of the Mediterranean.”

Vicky Karantzavelou
Co-Founder & Chief Editor - TravelDailyNews Media Network | Website | + Posts

Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.

She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.

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