MTA wins UK tourism award

The Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) won the Destination of the Year award on Thursday during the 2012 Travel Trade Gazette Awards in London. The government described the awards as "prestigious" and noted that the award demonstrates the success of Malta's promotional campaigns held abroad.

Tourism minister Mario de Marco said the MTA campaigns abroad are wielding positive results and added that the award confirms the success.

"The award also shows that government's investment in promoting Malta and improving accessibility are effective and are earning recognitio," de Marco said.

The minister explained that the MTA intensified its promotional campaigns while the country increased its routes from 46 to 81 in the space of six years.

"In the meantime, the government was and is investing in capital and infrastructural projects to improve the touristic product," de Marco said.

He added that the government is also investing in schemes which encourage private investment, including a €10 million scheme for projects aiming at sustainable tourism.

Under this scheme 100 projects will be carried out at a total cost of €20 million and up to 500 new jobs are expected to be created.

de Marco pointed out that the MTA and government are committed to invest more money in the sector which will result in "more businss for hotels, restaurants and other retail sectors and create more jobs. Positive results in tourism mean more jobs for Maltese families and a stronger economy."