‘My work ethos is rooted in loyalty, transparency and resilience’ – Fortina Investments Ltd CEO

Holding company Fortina Investments Ltd has built a diverse portfolio since its launch in 2017, becoming a key pillar of Malta’s economic landscape. As CEO, Edward Zammit Tabona has helped steer the company through notable transformations, including the  revamp of its flagship Fortina Hotel and the expansion of its ferry services through Captain Morgan Group. In 2025, he aims to build on this momentum, driving Fortina’s investments in Malta’s tourism and transport sectors, with sustainability and innovation at the core.

For Fortina Investments CEO Edward Zammit Tabona, one recent moment stands out in a career marked by many strategic milestones.

“The investment coincided with the 75th anniversary of when my grandfather inaugurated the family’s first Tigné Court Hotel in 1948,” he recalls, referring to the company’s recent completion of Fortina’s ambitious redevelopment of its four- and five-star hotels along Sliema’s Tigné Seafront.

This multi-million project has led to a state-of-the-art, mixed-use development that attracted the prestigious Barceló Hotel Group to Malta. “It was an emotional and important milestone both for me and our family’s legacy,” he adds.

For Edward, this is the latest achievement in Malta’s tourism, maritime transport and hospitality sectors, continuing the legacy of the family business established by his grandfathers in the 1960s. Since 2015, he has led Fortina Investments as CEO, and served as CEO of Captain Morgan – Malta’s leading operator in inter-island passenger cruise and ferry services – and as CEO of Marsamxetto Steamferry Services Ltd.

Edward sees resilience as one of his guiding principles across his multifaceted roles. “My work ethos is rooted in loyalty, transparency and resilience. I believe these values are essential – not just among family members, but also in our partnerships. Being open and trustworthy creates a strong foundation for collaboration and success. Resilience keeps you going in challenging times, with eyes fixed on getting the job done.”

This philosophy also serves as the cornerstone of Edward’s leadership style, which centres not only on driving financial success but also on building relationships and exploring new ventures that align with Fortina’s values. “The opportunity to meet new people and discuss different opportunities is one of my favourite aspects of the role. Every interaction is a chance to learn and grow. New opportunities deliver a fresh dose of excitement to the job. Not every opportunity works out, but it certainly leaves its fair share of positive experiences and lessons learnt.”

He confides that one of the biggest challenges right now is finding and retaining top talent. “In today’s landscape, it’s crucial to keep our team engaged, motivated and aligned with emerging consumer trends and expectations. We are firm believers in investing in our team, encouraging employees to pursue new experiences, reskill and further their education within a supportive work environment. Yet, talent is often on the move, and new skills are needed almost daily – this is perhaps a modern CEO’s hardest challenge.”

Still, Edward says that these challenges make his role fulfilling, as he and the team balance planned strategy with the need to pivot quickly in response to developing circumstances. “There’s a satisfaction that comes from working with our team to navigate these dynamic challenges.”

Fortina Investments Ltd has transformed Malta’s tourism landscape, staying true to its heritage while embracing modern, sustainable practices. Building on the foundation laid 75 years ago with the original Tigné Court Hotel, the company has grown to encompass hospitality and sea transport, with Edward’s father and uncles nurturing and expanding on their own father’s legacy.

“As pioneers in the tourism industry, we continued our investment plan to create a five-star destination in the heart of Sliema,” says Edward, referring to the company’s recent upgrade of the Fortina Hotel. “We wanted to capitalise on the hotel’s iconic views of Valletta by providing a modern, elegant ambience that elevates our customers’ experience. The hotel boasts an excellent location with easy access to top tourist spots, an expansive pjazza, which is fully accessible to the public, and outstanding hospitality. In its first year, results have exceeded projections.” He also looks forward to a positive future in Fortina’s landmark partnership with Barceló: “They are like us – a family-owned brand focused on creating a unique experience, blending local charm with international expertise.”

The Fortina Hotel redevelopment is the latest milestone in a long list that has made the hotel a leading player in the business landscape. “Our investment in maritime ventures keeps our competitive edge through state-of-the-art vessels and innovative product experiences, such as the I-SEE Malta pass – a range of tourism products that combine multimodal transport with main cultural hotspots in Malta and Gozo, while tapping into our partnership with an international brand for our tourist bus services,” Edward reveals. “Additionally, the group established OZO, a company that invests significantly in the outsourcing of human capital services for the hospitality sector.”

Meanwhile, Fortina continues to pioneer sea transport through Captain Morgan Group and its ferry services, connecting Sliema, Valletta and the Three Cities, with around 1.3 million passengers carried last year. “It’s an exciting time for sea transport, and we’re ready to play our part!” Edward says with a smile. “Maritime transportation in Malta for everyday commuting – not just tourism – will become increasingly important as road-traffic pressures rise. We firmly believe in harnessing the strength – and beauty – of our seas to facilitate island-wide travel, so we have heavily invested in making this vision a reality.”

This commitment aligns with the recent governmental push for alternative transport options, he says. “Commuters can now travel on the ferry for free, just like taking the bus. I believe that with better public awareness, we can foster a cultural shift. Success lies in ensuring these links are well integrated, providing our customers with a seamless experience that saves them time.”

With tourism at the heart of Fortina Investments, Edward sees immense potential in building a sustainable, attractive experience for visitors. “Tourism is Malta’s economic lifeline,” he asserts, adding that safeguarding it requires meticulous attention to infrastructure, cleanliness and the visitor experience.

“It provides livelihoods for thousands of families and is fertile ground for many businesses like ours. I always advocate having our basics in place as a country, protecting our USP – our beaches, our historical spots, our unparalleled hospitality, and most of all, our value for money – with a clear plan outlining our vision for the next five to 10 years. Engaging all stakeholders in the tourism sector is key to realising this vision. By working together, we can create a sustainable, welcoming and vibrant tourism landscape for Malta.”

Environmental sustainability is another priority in Fortina’s ESG strategy, as it considers electrifying its fleet of 18 hop-on hop-off buses and making its maritime assets more eco-friendly to reduce its carbon footprint. “Government investment in infrastructure will be crucial to cost-effective electrification. Our strategic aim is to remain at the forefront of sustainable transportation,” Edward notes.

Looking forward, Edward foresees an exciting future for tourism in Malta over the next five years, with growth and innovation on the horizon. “We expect tourist figures to continue to rise, encouraging further investment in the sector to enhance spending power. I hope the Government will increase investment in infrastructure, which is crucial for delivering top-tier visitor experiences. The rapid pace of Artificial Intelligence (AI) will also be a game-changer, transforming how we engage with tourists and streamline our services.”

Edward also plans to capitalise on growing tourist numbers. “Data released by the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association in August 2024 reported that tourist arrivals in the second quarter of 2024 reached 998,000, surpassing 2023 figures, while guest nights rose by 483,000 compared to the same period the previous year,” he highlights. “The peak months attracted younger travellers, positively impacting sectors like excursions, entertainment and transport, but presented a challenging scenario for some high-end hotels. Malta’s resilience and the local investor community’s determination are clear, turning challenges into opportunities.”

While Edward remains focused on cementing Fortina’s role in Maltese tourism and transport through sustainable growth, he is equally driven to explore new opportunities in 2025. “Our goal is to keep building a future that respects our heritage while embracing changes to keep Malta’s tourism landscape vibrant and resilient,” the CEO concludes.

This article is part of the serialisation of 50 interviews featured in Malta CEOs 2025 – the sister brand to MaltaCEOs.mt and an annual high-end publication bringing together some of the country’s most influential business leaders