Malta is a ‘long-term commtiment’, says Meliá Area Managing Director Alfredo Aznar

Meliá Hotels International described its partnership with Agius Group – best known for their Ta' Dirjanu chain of Gozitan supermarkets – as a “long-term commitment” to Malta and Gozo as it celebrated the launch of its latest hotel.

INNSiDE by Meliá Buġibba, located in the Buġibba square, joins the growing portfolio of hotels that are being developed through Agius’ hospitality arm Blue Clay Collection..

The other operational hotels are Hotel Ben, Affiliated by Meliá, in Marsalforn, Casa Azure in San Lawrenz and Palazzo Giuseppe, Meliá Collection, in Victoria, while further properties are planned in Valletta, Għarb, Qala, Għajnsielem and St Julian’s.

Speaking at the launch of the latest hotel, Meliá Area Managing Director for Western & Southern Europe Alfredo Aznar said the Spanish hotel chain sees significant potential in Malta.

“For Meliá, this is a long-term commitment. Our ambition is not simply to bring our brands to the Maltese Islands, but to create properties that respect the identity of their locations while combining local character with Meliá’s international hospitality experience,” he said.

He added that the relationship was built on trust, open communication and a shared ambition, with the Agius family contributing deep knowledge of the destination and a commitment to its development.

“The ability of both organisations to listen, adapt and work together has been fundamental in moving this ambitious project forward,” he said.

Agius Group Director Maria Agius described the occasion as a new chapter for the family business, which began in Gozo in the 1950s when Ġużeppi and Ġorġa Agius opened a small warehouse to distribute beverages.

“Our partnership with Meliá Hotels International has become an important part of the next chapter of that story,” she said. “These hotels will have beautiful buildings and strong brands, but their real identity will come from the people who work here.”

Prime Minister Robert Abela, who also addressed the launch, described Agius Group’s investment as a sign of “confidence in the potential of our country”.

He said the Government wants a tourism industry that competes on quality, and not simply on numbers.