Malta has been named the “Best International Tourism Destination” at the Italian Tourism Awards- The Night of Excellence, held on 10th December at The St. Regis in Rome.
The award was accepted by Ester Tamasi, Director of the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) for Italy, who said:
“This recognition belongs to our entire team and celebrates the work shared with our headquarters and many partners, who every day help us tell the story of Malta and Gozo in an emotional and innovative way. It reflects a coherent, multidisciplinary strategy that meets the evolving needs of contemporary travellers. An effective tourism strategy is one that works in numbers but touches the heart: it creates economic value without losing the soul of the destination.”
The jury praised Malta for its excellence in marketing, promotion, and international tourism development. The event, hosted by Gabriella Carlucci and broadcast on Rai 2 on 16th December, highlighted the achievements of VisitMalta’s Italian office.
“This recognition underscores the strength of our relationship with the Italian market and the close collaboration with our stakeholders. Our strategy focuses on quality, sustainability, and year-round tourism, ensuring Malta and Gozo continue to offer meaningful experiences while safeguarding the unique essence of our islands,” said MTA CEO Carlo Micallef.
The award represents the culmination of a year dedicated to promoting Malta and Gozo as premium destinations for all seasons. Key focus areas included:
- Valuing human capital, with emphasis on creativity, skills, and female leadership.
- Emotional and immersive communication, using experiential and digital storytelling to connect with contemporary audiences.
- Cross-sector collaborations with tour operators, agencies, stakeholders, and digital creators, strengthening ties with the Italian market.
- Territorial presence, including events, workshops, and training for both trade and consumers.
- Sustainable development, with increased attention to Gozo and Comino as slow and green destinations.
Among the flagship initiatives, the “Nessuna donna è un’isola” project stood out. This cultural and narrative journey combined wellness, female identity, and the promotion of Gozo’s territory.
Through photography exhibitions, yoga retreats, tailor-made experiences and collaborations with tour operators, the initiative achieved significant public and critical acclaim.
Congratulations!