MTA launches board game to introduce youths to tourism industry 

The Malta Tourism Authority has launched a novel way of introducing young people to the career opportunities available in tourism – through an adventure board game.

Designed for students aged 10 and over, Merħba! The Tourism Adventure Game allows them to gain awareness of potential career paths before making subject choices that may influence their careers. 

The game combines competition and collaboration and encourages face-to-face interaction, communication, discussion, negotiation and strategic thinking. 

Players are introduced to different tourism businesses and professions through site cards representing tourism operators, and role cards representing the professions and skills required within the sector.

As part of the game, students are presented with different visitor profiles and must identify the appropriate roles and services needed to meet their requirements. By successfully matching visitors with the relevant roles, players can earn points and progress through the game.

Merħba! was developed by the Malta Tourism Authority in collaboration with Malta University Enterprises, with the support and expertise of Professor Leonard Busuttil and Jonathan Barbara in the fields of game-based learning and game design.

It was launched today in collaboration with the Ministry for Tourism and the Ministry for Education and Sport’s National School Wellbeing Services in time for the new scholastic year. 

“The launch of this interactive game highlights the importance of collaboration between different departments and ministries, demonstrating once again that when we work together towards a common objective, we can achieve the best possible results,” MTA Chairman Charles Mangion said.

“Equally important is the opportunity this initiative provides to students of all ages to learn more about the wide range of career opportunities within the tourism industry.”

“Encouraging our young people to explore and consider these careers is an essential investment in the future of a sector that has contributed so significantly to our country’s economic and social development and will continue to do so for generations to come.”

Tourism Minister Jo Etienne Abela said the game will encourage students to recognise tourism as a field in which they can build meaningful and successful careers. 

“By engaging with the industry from an early stage, our youth can better appreciate its importance, both for their own personal and professional development and for the continued economic and social prosperity of our island as a whole,” he said.

Dorianne Gravina, Education Officer at the National Student Wellbeing Services said the game will prove to be highly valuable for students.

“By gaining a better understanding of these professions at an early stage, students can make informed, thoughtful, and well-considered decisions when choosing their future career paths,” she said.

The game will now be rolled out to middle school students as part of its educational programme.