Gabriel Escarrer

Gabriel Escarrer, the CEO of leading Spanish hotel chain Meliá Hotels International, praised Malta for its renewed focus on high-quality tourism during a recent trip to the island.

With a ME by Meliá hotel already operating at Mercury Tower, the Spanish chain is set to seriously ramp up its presence in Malta and Gozo, with nine new branded hotels set to open across the islands over the next three years in partnership with the Agius Group.

One of these, an INNSide by Meliá hotel, is set to open in Buġibba in June.

During his recent visit to Malta, Mr Escarrer met his Agius Group partners, Tourism Minister Ian Borg, and the team at the ME by Meliá Hotel at Mercury. 

“It was also exciting to visit Malta, this privileged Mediterranean enclave with enormous potential and a renewed focus on high-quality tourism,” Mr Escarrer said.

“It is a destination that we at Meliá Hotels International have embraced thanks to its many strengths, our shared Mediterranean spirit, and, of course, a tourism policy that actively encourages investment in high-quality products.”

Founded in 1956 by Mr Escarrer’s late father Gabriel Escarrer Julià, Meliá is one of Europe’s biggest hotel chains, with a portfolio of around 380 hotels across the world.

Main Image: Gabriel Escarrer/ LinkedIn

Related

Adrian Mizzi: Building a practical transformation practice at IDEA Consulting

21 July 2026
by MaltaCEOs

‘AI and digital transformation only create value when they are connected to judgement, governance and organisational learning.'

What every employer needs to know about Malta’s pay transparency law

21 July 2026
by Nicole Zammit

Dr Christine Calleja, Partner at Mamo TCV Advocates, answers some of the most common questions surrounding the regulations.

Tony Zahra: Summer power cuts prove climate change is here to stay

21 July 2026
by Tim Diacono

Tony Zahra urges Malta to manage impacts of climate change.

‘What an honourable Prime Minister ought to say about power cuts’ – a tech entrepreneur’s view

21 July 2026
by Kevin Schembri Orland

'We have attracted demand without first asking whether we had the capacity to meet it. That is a serious failure ...