MTA CEO Carlo Micallef: Italian tourism award validates shift to quality and sustainability

The Malta Tourism Authority’s strategic shift towards quality-led, sustainable and year-round tourism has been validated after Malta was named Best International Tourism Destination at the Italian Tourism Awards 2025, according to MTA CEO Carlo Micallef.

Speaking following the award ceremony in Rome, Mr Micallef said the recognition reflects both Malta’s strong relationship with the Italian market and the effectiveness of stakeholder collaboration.

“This recognition reflects the strength of our relationship with the Italian market and the close collaboration we enjoy with stakeholders,” he said.

“Our strategy is firmly focused on quality, sustainability and year-round tourism, ensuring Malta and Gozo continue to offer meaningful experiences while safeguarding what makes our islands unique.”

The award, presented at The St Regis Rome, was the result of an intensive year of destination marketing and development led by the Malta Tourism Authority’s Italian office, working in alignment with MTA’s broader strategic vision.

Micallef’s leadership has increasingly centred on value-driven tourism growth, balancing economic impact with environmental responsibility and cultural authenticity – particularly through the positioning of Gozo and Comino as slow, green destinations.

The Italian Tourism Awards jury highlighted Malta’s performance in marketing innovation, international promotion and destination development, areas that have seen increased investment and strategic coordination under MTA’s current leadership.

Accepting the award, MTA Italy Director Ester Tamasi echoed this strategic direction, noting that success in tourism requires emotional connection as well as commercial performance.

“An intelligent and effective tourism strategy works in numbers but stays in the heart,” she said.

Among the initiatives praised was “Nessuna donna è un’isola,” a flagship project combining wellness, female leadership and destination storytelling. The initiative aligns closely with MTA’s broader emphasis on inclusive narratives, human capital development and experiential tourism.

Broadcast nationally on Rai 2, the awards ceremony further strengthened Malta’s visibility in Italy, reinforcing the authority’s long-term objective of attracting higher-value visitors while preserving the islands’ identity.