Malta 2018: a record year for Tourism and awards

An original destination not so far away that several tour operators in France offer and which offers many attractions. The year 2018 was particularly successful for Malta.

Almost 15% more tourists

Malta had another record year with 2.6 million tourists visiting Malta in 2018, according to the National Statistics Office. The number of incoming tourists increased by 14.3% compared to 2017. Tourism spending was estimated at €2.1 billion, 8% higher than in 2017.

English and Italians love Malta

The vast majority of travellers came from the European market, with most tourists coming from the United Kingdom and Italy, Malta’s two largest tourist markets.
Most of the tourists had never been to Malta before. Indeed, only 686,203 tourists returned regularly to the islands.

Malta:: European Capital of Culture

Vallet welcomed the title of European Capital of Culture in 2018 with a Dutch city of Leeuwarden. The CEC included all the Maltese islands, with the aim of spreading its impact throughout Malta.
A video to demonstrate what malta can offer: https://youtu.be/FbqF36nZbKg

Rewards during ITB Berlin 2019

The Malta Tourist Office has not shy away from its pleasure of winning the LGBT Destination Award which was awarded at the Spartacus Travel Awards.

Spartacus Traveler is the largest LGBT travel magazine on the German-speaking market. The capital, Valletta, won the prize for the best destination in « city break » awarded by « Connoisseur Circle Hospitality Awards « .

Cultural gems in Valletta

Malta may be one of the smallest countries in Europe, but for centuries the strategic location of this tiny land between Sicily and North Africa has been coveted by everyone, from emperors to knights to pirates. The jewel of this archipelago is its capital, Valletta, an intimate 16th century city with narrow streets built by the legendary « Order of Malta » on a peninsula between two spectacular ancient ports.

Much to see in Malta

Some, if not all, of your time can be spent visiting many places. There are a large number of fascinating museums and attractions that reflect Malta’s rich and tumultuous history within a relatively small area.

It is possible to combine an excursion to Mdina (it is a small town rich in history, surrounded by high bastions) with a visit to the Tarxian temples.

Built between 3600 and 2500 BC, this complex is the largest prehistoric site on the islands and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It will also be difficult to forget to see the famous work of Caravaggio, the beheading of Saint John the Baptist and the writing of Saint Jerome in Saint John’s Cathedral.

Major tour operators offer Malta as TUI, Thomas Cook, Salaün Holidays, but also Visit Europ or Ô Voyages among others!

Serge Fabre