Magical evening ushers in first-ever Malta Tourism Awards

Louis Grech chosen as tourism industry’s personality of the year

The first Malta Tourism Awards ceremony held last Saturday on the Birgu waterfront marked a milestone for the tourism and travel industry with various market players being awarded for their contribution to the industry.

Tourism Minister Michael Refalo was guest of honour at the Awards, which were organised by Skal Malta in conjunction with The Malta Financial and Business Times.

The Birgu waterfront, with the Casino di Venezia as a backdrop, provided an idyllic setting for the gala dinner. Awards were presented for eight different categories: Food and Beverage Suppliers, Media Promotion, Catering Outlets and Activities, Incoming and Outgoing Tourism, Accommodation, Academic and Professional and the final award going to the tourism and travel personality of the year.

With tourism accounting for the livelihood of at least 17,000 people and a mainstay of Malta’s economy, the organisers expressed their intention of making these awards a major yearly appointment.

In his opening address, Skal Malta President Joe Borg Olivier said that the number of applications received for the awards was satisfactory. Mr Borg Olivier added that the aim of the awards was to encourage professionalism within the industry. "Our aim is to help ourselves act and behave like honest partners that work together for a common goal – the goal of success," he said.

Mr Borg Olivier also read out a welcome message by Skal International President Tony Glegg Butt, who unfortunately was unable to attend the ceremony.

Mr Borg Olivier commended the adjudicating panel, which was chaired by Salvu Stellini, for the hard work it put into the project. The autonomous panel was free to decide the winners of the awards.

Skal Malta is an organisation that brings together all sectors of the travel industry and recognises professionalism and operators that contribute towards the success of the industry.

The award winners are:

Incoming Tourism - Martin Zahra, managing director Holiday Malta Co. Ltd

Outgoing Tourism - Michael Abele, general manager Mondial Holidays

Academic and Professional - Francis Stivala, NSTS English Language Institute

Accommodation - Ken Mc Laren, general manager Hilton Hotel

Food and Beverage Suppliers - Ray Grech, marketing manager Simonds Farsons Cisk plc

Media Promotion - Peter Darmanin, managing director Advantage Advertising Ltd

Catering Outlets and Activities - Mario De Celis, director sales and marketing Blue Elephant Restaurant

Tourism and Travel Personality of the Year - Louis Grech, chairman Air Malta