MTA wins silver in three Travvy Award categories

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, held on 6 January 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 2015 Travvy Awards recognizes the highest standards of excellence in the industry today and honours travel companies, travel products, travel agencies, travel executives, travel agents and destinations for their outstanding achievement.

The Malta Tourism Authority, through a myriad of marketing efforts, has been very pro-active in the US market during 2015. Amongst 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 travellers spend 40% more than the per capita average registered overall”.

Bugeja added that, “the MTA will endeavour 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 corporates and agencies so as to increase MICE business”.