MIA CEO stresses use of technology for effective restart of Malta’s tourism sector

“The fact that Malta is one of the European leaders in immunising its population is currently our strongest selling point with airlines and travellers looking for a safe destination this summer,” said Alan Borg, CEO of the Malta International Airport.

However, he emphasised the importance of embracing technology to effectively restart the sector and boost consumer confidence in the safety to travel.

“Whilst commending the local Health Authority’s work with the vaccination roll-out, I would also like to stress the importance of technology at this critical point in our preparations for the safe restart of tourism,” he said, adding that travel has clearly become more complex following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that the use of technology would contribute significantly to facilitating the experience of tourists arriving in Malta.

MIA highlighted the adoption of a Malta app, which would allow passengers to upload all necessary documents – such as the passenger locator form, health declaration form, and COVID-19 test result or vaccine certificate – for verification by the authorities prior to their entry in Malta.

In its statement, the airport said this would also give incoming passengers a heightened sense of safety and security, contributing to the restoration of consumer confidence.

Passenger traffic through MIA totalled 32,033 movements last March, translating into a drop of 93 per cent compared to the same month in 2019 in pre-pandemic times.