Visit Malta and Emirates last night hosted a trade and media dinner in Melbourne, immersing guests in the flavours, culture and luxury experiences of Malta.
Hosted by Mario Farrugia Borg, director Australia & New Zealand, Visit Malta, and Dean Cleaver, regional sales manager, Emirates, the event welcomed 45 travel trade and media guests to Nanna’s Place Mediterranean Restaurant.
The evening featured a menu of authentic Maltese cuisine. Guests enjoyed sharing platters including stuffed olives, ġbejniet tal-bżar (pepper cheese), kapunata (grilled vegetables), bigilla, (broad bean dip) and traditional Maltese bread before choosing from classic Maltese main courses including Beef and Chicken Bragioli.
Guests were also treated to tasting plates of slow-cooked rabbit, or fenek – Malta’s national dish.
During the evening, Mario Farrugia Borg took guests on a journey through the Maltese Islands, highlighting the destination’s unique blend of luxury, history, gastronomy, wellness and culture. Guests heard how Malta, Gozo and Comino offer more than 8,500 years of history, a thriving culinary scene, luxury accommodation, world-class wellness experiences and authentic Mediterranean hospitality.
Dean Cleaver shared updates on Emirates’ global network and the airline’s connectivity to Malta via Dubai, while also showcasing a range of onboard and ground-service innovations designed to enhance the customer experience. These included the airline’s latest Premium Economy offering, featuring fully electric seats, generous legroom, and a spacious cabin layout with privacy screens.
“Australia continues to be an important market for Malta, and we’re delighted to be partnering with Emirates to showcase everything the destination has to offer,” said Farrugia Borg.
“Malta’s long-term tourism strategy is focused on sustainability, resilience and attracting higher-value visitors seeking authentic and meaningful travel experiences. From luxury hotels and wellness retreats to world-class gastronomy and cultural experiences, Malta is continuing to evolve while remaining true to its heritage and identity.”
Cleaver said Emirates was proud to partner with Visit Malta to inspire Australian travellers to discover the destination.
“We continue to see growing demand for Malta from Australian travellers through Emirates’ extensive global network and seamless connections via our home of Dubai.” he said.
Adding to the excitement of the evening, one lucky guest won a place on an upcoming Visit Malta familiarisation trip, including Emirates flights, accommodation in Malta and a stopover in Dubai.
The Melbourne event marks the first of a three-city Visit Malta and Emirates roadshow, which continues in Brisbane on 6 October before concluding in Sydney on 24 November.
