MFCC or Pembroke? James Cassar says both sites should be used for events  

The MFCC in Ta’ Qali and the Institute for Education in Pembroke have both been put forward as possible sites for a national convention centre, with the Government favouring the former and EC Meetings Managing Director Mark Gatt advocating for the latter. 

However, 242 Group Managing Director James Cassar, who earned his PhD researching how destinations can become attractive to conference tourism, tells MaltaCEOs.mt that both sites are ideal for different kinds of events.

“MFCC, being in Ta’ Qali, is ideal for larger local events, whereby parking is easier and the venue is relatively out of the main urban zones and traffic arteries,” Dr Cassar said.

“The Pembroke area is better-placed to offer the total conference product for international events, that is, when international delegates need to attend.”

“This is due to the proximity to hotels and accommodation in the St Julian’s area. This can make a Maltese bid to host a conference, expo or event much stronger, and ultimately lead to its success and to Malta’s benefit.”

Dr Cassar warned that Malta’s current venue situation is “critical” when it comes to attracting MICE tourism and international expos. 

“Ask any established local organiser and they will tell you that they just cannot find any indoor space of decent size (500 pax upwards), with decent available dates,” he said. 

“It is impossible to book a venue in Malta, so how are we meant to bring over events? Thus I believe Malta can take both MFCC and another venue, but they should be targeted to two different audiences.”

Under the Vision 2050 strategy, the Maltese Government has set a target to host five major international conferences and events a year by 2035, with each attracting at least 7,000 delegates.

Prime Minister Robert Abela confirmed last month that the Government is in advanced discussions to develop a national convention centre on the site currently occupied by the MFCC, currently Malta’s largest expo venue.

The MFCC is owned by a consortium of Maltese businesses, with the Tumas Group and its subsidiary Spinola Investments Ltd owning 50 per cent of shares, with Greatt and the Corinthia Group each owning 25%.

In a recent Times of Malta article, EC Meetings Managing Director Mark Gatt argued that the site currently occupied by the Institute for Education in Pembroke could make a better site for a conference centre since it is closer to hotels and the sea, and would complement the planned national park at the adjacent White Rocks.