MTA joins Virtuoso luxury destination network

The Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) has been accepted as a luxury travel partner into Virtuoso’s exclusive portfolio, comprising more than 1,700 preferred suppliers in 100 countries, and opening up new sales and marketing opportunities for destination Malta.

Virtuoso agencies sell more than $15.5 billion annually through 11,400 luxury travel advisors, making the network the most significant player in luxury travel.

Angela Roditi, vice president, Alliances at Virtuoso said that adding Malta to the family of Virtuoso preferred destinations created new opportunities for the network’s affiliated travel advisors.

“European travelers are well acquainted with Malta’s unique historical, cultural and scenic appeal, and now Virtuoso advisors in 42 countries will have access to information and training that will encourage their clients to experience it,” she said.

“Sophisticated travellers are always seeking exciting destinations to discover, so we look forward to elevating Malta’s profile among our worldwide network of luxury travel agencies.”  

Malta joins Virtuoso’s collection of the finest luxury hotels, resorts, cruise lines, airlines, tour operators and other suppliers worldwide.

These partners, which specialise in world-class client service and experiences, provide Virtuoso advisors, and therefore their clients, with superior offerings, rare opportunities and exceptional value.

Providers are able to market to Virtuoso clients via network vehicles and to Virtuoso agencies through multiple communications channels and events, including the Virtuoso Travel Week – luxury travel’s largest worldwide sales and networking event – and Virtuoso Symposium, an elite summit for the network’s top agency and supplier principals.

Paul Bugeja, CEO of the Malta Tourism Authority, said that Malta’s membership in Virtuoso provided MTA access to the world’s leading leisure travel agencies in North and Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East.

“The timing for acceptance in Virtuoso could not be better,” said Michelle Buttigieg, MTA’s US representative. “Destination Malta is riding a wave of popularity in the US and has recently been featured on several high-profile ‘places to go’ lists in 2016 and 2017, including The New York Times and National Geographic Traveler.”

She said Malta itself was now resonate with festive celebrations as it geared up to Valletta 2018 when it celebrates being European Capital of Culture.

“It is a great time for Virtuoso advisors to be offering their clients a new, vibrant, diverse destination to explore,” Buttigieg said.