Visit Malta is hopeful that visitor numbers, including those from Australia, will continue to grow despite the impact of disrupted flights through the Middle East.
Visit Malta director Mario Farrugia Borg said at a Flavours of Malta media dinner at LuMi restaurant in Sydney last night, that while obviously it was not the best time to be discussing Middle East hubs that supported the destination, he was still confident that record numbers could be achieved to support the country’s main industry.
More than 4 million visitors are attracted to its three Mediterranean islands of Malta every year, eight times its total population of half a million.
“We’re not going to a very good time at the moment with whatever is happening in the Middle East, but we’re all very, very hopeful that whatever is happening will be over very soon,” he said.
The Flavours of Malta evening combined the talents of chef Jonathan Brincat from Michelin-starred Noni in Valletta, Malta and local culinary maestro talent Federico Zanellato from LuMi in Pyrmont.
Through an array of 14 courses and Maltese wines, Farrugia Borg took guests through an array of attractions from the three islands that make up the country – Malta, Gozo and the uninhabited Comino – and its eclectic mix of Arabic, African and European culture, food and history.
“Our geographical location has influenced our culture, our identity,” he said. “Malta is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, beneath Sicily and north of Africa, and this means that our culture, our identity, even our gastronomy, is influenced by our European neighbours, but also by our Arab neighbours.
“We can offer 8,000 years of history, we have megalithic temples older than Stonehenge, older than the pyramids. We offer superbly sunny weather. We boast 300 days of clear skies every year. So chances are whatever time you go to Malta, you’re going to get some nice weather.
“And then, obviously, attractive beaches, nightlife, you name it basically, we’ve got it.”
In addition to tourism, the movie and streaming industry is also very big in Malta, with some well-known movies being filmed in the country, including the most recent Jurassic Park, Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
“We have year-round tourism, tourism is our one of our main industries, if not the main industry. It is one Mediterranean destination that never closes down,” Farrugia Borg said.
And the best takeaway from the evening?
“Maybe two things,” he said. “The first is, obviously, a taste of Malta.
“Hopefully (the food served last night) would make you want to go to Malta to experience more Maltese food, but also I think I’m going to show them the richness of our history. I would like just to take with them the richness of our history, our culture, and our identity, making them want to actually visit themselves.”
