New observatory to put Malta ‘at the forefront of sustainable tourism’

The first Malta Tourism Observatory has been launched to oversee the implementation of Malta's Tourism Strategy for the next decade.

This board will be composed of representatives of the Malta Tourism Authority and the Ministry for Tourism, which will be responsible for the wide range of activities dealing with tourism development in the Maltese Islands.

This was announced by Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo in the presence of Malta Tourism Authority CEO Carlo Micallef, Malta Tourism Authority Deputy CEO Leslie Vella, and members of the same board.

The launch of the observatory goes hand in hand with the work and practices of other tourism observatories established around the world, in order to put Malta at the forefront of sustainable tourism on a Mediterranean, European and global scale.

It will be looking to establish links with similar parties internationally, including the United Nations' main body, the International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories.

The Malta Tourism Observatory will also have the option to speak and open itself up to opinions, proposals, and incentives through advisory groups, including Government entities, NGOs, and the private sector.

The themes for these advisory groups will include accommodation, gastronomy, the environment, sustainability, air and maritime connectivity, Gozo and Comino, education and training, visitor experience, and climate change.

Minister Bartolo stressed that in an increasingly competitive tourism market, Malta needs to update its approach towards a sector so important to the country's economy.

"This observatory is a guarantee of the Government's commitment to the tourism industry,” he said. “Through the National Tourism Strategy, we see tourism continuing to recover, strengthen and become sustainable for the time to come."