Ministers Fenech, de Marco launch annual MFEI Conference Fund

Ministers Tonio Fenech and Mario de Marco launched this year's Malta Finance, Economy and Investment conference fund, launched annually, at the newly-built Xara Lodge, situated in the beautiful surroundings of Rabat.

The annuall fund, which initially kicked off back in 2009, comprises a budget of 300,000 euros, allocated to support government departments with the intention of assisting government departments and government officials in bidding for conferences, so as to increase Malta's share of meetings and help attract new business to the islands.

"The fund will serve to enhance the stay of delegates attending conferences in Malta, 25 conferences of which have already been confirmed, which in turn help inject a substantial amount of euros into our economy," according to Minister de Marco.

The Xara Lodge is a new and exciting concept where hosting conferences and special events are concerned, being presented as a multi-purpose venue located in the countryside offering breath-taking views. The venue opened its doors for business earlier this month.

Minister Fenech said that "as part of the government's Vision 2015, we are constantly identifying new areas and we have realised that the conferences and incentives market was becoming a very important pillar to help boost Malta's tourism industry," adding that "contrary to the past, where the conferences market wasn't being given much importance, today is very promising since results have shown the segment is leaving a positive impact on our economy".

Fenech added that the new Xara Lodge was indeed a very important investment.

Justin Zammit Tabona, who has put his heart and soul into the setting up of the Xara Lodge project and concept, said that the venue could host up to 400 comfortably seated delegates at one go while its operation currently involved over 50 employees.

He also added that the venue has already hosted a wedding earlier this month and aims to also target team-building events.

When asked to divulge the amount invested in the state-of-the-art venue, Zammit Tabona smiled and limited his answer to "it was a large enough investment".

Zammit Tabona also spoke of a number of green initiatives that have been undertaken as part of the group's setting-up of Xara Lodge, including the use of LED lighting, insulation, and energy-efficient cooling and heating systems. 

Speaking of the fund, Minister de Marco said that "in 2009, 15,700 delegates came over to Malta to participate in conferences and this year, 25 conferences have already been booked through the use of the funds allocated to government departments to help incentivise conferences here, the conferences of which will host a total of 4,400 delegates".

He added that "in order to reduce the negative impact of the global crisis, one had to identify and look at other innovative aspects and ideas which can help boost our economy," referring to the fund.

De Marco said that one way to deal with "shoulder months (off-peak months) was the conference market - a sector that was vital in helping keep these quite months busy.

According to the Tourism Minister, since its inception in 2009, one million euros have already been allocated to government departments through the fund to incentivise conferences. Conferences held in 2011 included the World Congress of the Malta Powerboat Delegation, Mater Dei's Resuscitation Council which hosted 1,000 delegates, a conference held by the Lions Club hosting 500 delegates, among others.

"When the average spend of every delegate who attended last year's conferences was calculated, it resulted that a total of 11 million euros was injected into our economy."

De Marco also said that "improving accessibility for delegates to attend conferences here was also vital.

"Therefore, airlines operating from Malta have been asked to operate a minimum two flights a week.

"Keeping the conference sector in mind, this is an obligation every airline that operates through our airport is asked to fulfill.

"Furthermore, our airline has also increased its worldwide destinations to 180 from 45," de Marco added.