Many exciting developments have taken place across the Maltese Islands during the past few months which are also of particular interest to the meetings, conference and incentive industry.

Malta joins Schengen and Eurozone

On the 1st January of this year, Malta adopted the Euro, which means that visitors to the Islands (from within the Eurozone) no longer need to convert currency.

For conference buyers it brings more transparency when it comes to quotes and RFPs and makes it much easier to compare Malta’s offer and value for money with other European MICE-destinations.

Travelling to and from Malta will also become easier and hassle free since end of 2007 Malta entered into Schengen, lifting its sea and land borders to join the European Union's borderless area.

In order to cater for Schengen passengers as best possible, Malta has constructed new wings at at both the Malta International Airport and the Valletta Sea Port.

While facilitating tourism in general, this development will enable conference and incentive groups to enjoy a faster transit to Malta.

CSR & Malta’s Carbon Footprint

The Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) is very much aware of the fact that CSR and the carbon footprint are becoming more and more crucial criteria for conference organisers. MTA is constantly raising awareness about the issue with its local trade partners and has already in 2002 introduced an Eco-Certification-Scheme which is awarded to ecology-minded accommodation establishments.

Conference and incentive organisers wishing to include CSR initiatives during their event, or off-set carbon emissions created during their stay in Malta are kindly requested to contact the MTA for more infornation.

VAT Reclaim

When organising business events in Malta, international, non-resident businesses can reduce their expenses by reclaiming the Value Added Tax (VAT). More information can be obtained on the Maltese VAT Department’s web site:

Guidelines Regarding Vat Refunds To Overseas Traders: http://vat.gov.mt/docs/guidelinesonrefunds.pdf

Application for refund of value added tax by a business person not registered in Malta (Includes explanatory notes): http://vat.gov.mt/docs/vatform_008_request_refund_by_foreign_tp.pdf

New hotels

In 2007, two upscale five-star-hotels, “The Palace” Hotel in Sliema and the “Grand Hotel Excelsior” in Floriana became part of Malta’s attractive hotel portfolio. A new five-star-hotel project at the picturesque historic “Vittoriosa Waterfront”, close to the “Casino di Venezia”, is on its way and should be completed within two to three years at a cost of EUR 12 million.

This hotel project, developed by Port Cottonera Hotel Development Co. Ltd., includes 111 rooms and will appeal with a contemporary architecture respecting the forms of the adjacent historic buildings.

IMEX 2008

At this year’s IMEX, the Malta Tourism Authority is very much looking forward to welcoming visitors on a stand which has been enlarged by almost 50% to 140 square meters.

On April 23rd, the Malta Tourism Authority and its partners cordially invite IMEX visitors to a “Happy Hour” at the stand starting at 16.30 hrs. Apart from exotic cocktail creations like a “Euro-Cocktail” guests can try Maltese beer, the national soft drink “Kinnie” as well as typical Maltese snacks. A Maltese Grandmaster will also welcome the guests.

The Malta Tourism Authority and the following 32 exhibiting Maltese partners are present in hall 8, booth no. D120:

DMCs: A&V von Brockdorff Services Ltd., AGL - Alliance Group Ltd., All Events, Alpine Sterling Travel & Tourism, Colours of Malta Travel & Incentives, Destination Malta Company Ltd., EC Meetings Co. Ltd., Events Travel & Incentives Ltd., MI Malta, Oswald Arrigo Ltd. / Incoming DMC, S. Mifsud & Sons Ltd. (S.M.S.), Special Interest Travel Ltd., Sunrays Travel & Tourism Ltd., Sunspot Tours (Malta) Ltd., Traveltrade Ltd., Globalair Travel Ltd.

Hotels: Corinthia San Gorg Hotel, Dolmen Resort Hotel, Grand Hotel Excelsior, Hilton Malta, InterContinental Malta, Le Meridien St. Julians, Maritim Antonine Hotel & Spa, Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort, Riviera Resort & Spa, Suncrest Hotel, The Palace

Venues: Mediterranean Conference Center (MCC), Mediterranean Fairs & Convention Centre (MFCC)