The Malta Independent on Sunday
Hospitality Malta: an effective vehicle for further thought and focused analysis on the tourism industry
As Malta’s tourism industry aims to surpass the two million visitor mark this year, a new publication that directly supports this growth whilst highlighting the need for quality, has been released. ‘Hospitality Malta’, a quarterly publication, – was just launched in the presence of the Minister of Tourism, the Hon Dr Edward Zammit Lewis, together with a number of stakeholders in the local tourism field. Hospitality Malta is another publication from the established iMNG Group of brands, specialists in B2B publishing, and “as its name implies, it is directed towards the entire hospitality industry of Malta and Gozo,” explained Jason Attard, the Managing Director and Editor in chief. “We feel that there is a significant need for there to be information and awareness on the entire industry segments and not solely – or primarily – on one specific sector” he added, explaining that the publication’s mission is to serve as a tool in the hands of the hospitality workforce at all levels.
Chev. Tony Coleiro, the publication’s technical editor, a wellknown figure in the local tourism sector, also spoke about Hospitality Malta’s being a quality product from which the whole industry is to benefit. “Our approach is based on the fact that there is no better place for one to learn and improve than from one’s own peers and stalwarts. Or from the academic structures that exist”, he added. While mentioning the new challenges of the Institute of Tourism Studies he opined the need for creating new synergies so that even the University of Malta would further involve itself in this sector and possibly with the ITS create new horizons for the teaching of hospitality.
He continued that this is how they saw Hospitality Malta also involving itself; by also providing editorial space to academics, and lecturers of both institutions, as well as to post graduates. Our publication is a means of academic teaching as well as one of educating via our champions’ experiences. And not be a publicity vehicle. This commitment can be seen throughout the iMNG group of brands portfolio, and this prompted me to become part of this endeavour.”
The Minister for Tourism welcomed the launch of this new publication. “Indeed, Hospitality Malta is a first in its kind and I welcome and I endorse this new type of publication,” he said. This project is, in fact, fully supported by the Ministry for Tourism and the Malta Tourism Authority because “it is clearly not just another tourism magazine but rather an effective vehicle for further thought and focused analysis within the tourism industry, with well researched and informative articles on different tourism themes and relative schools of thought,” he added.
Dr Zammit Lewis, in underlining the fact that tourism is clearly a key pillar of our economy and a main contributor to job creation, said that “this publication will certainly contribute toward further exploring and improving our hospitality sector, and to ensure we remain on the path of sustainable growth and success in Tourism.”
Among other stakeholders present for the launch were Michael Piscopo, the Malta Tourism Authority’s Director Communications & Digital Media. He commented that “The MTA was pleased to support this initiative. One of the Authority’s roles is that of increasing awareness about the importance of tourism and raising quality standards in product and service throughout the industry. We believe that this publication is very much in line with this objective and provides a useful platform for getting our message across to the hospitality sector.”
Mr Joseph Galea, Air Malta’s Acting CEO, commented that “the national airline is proud to be an integral part of the tourism industry in Malta. Over the years the airline has invested heavily to build and develop tourism markets overseas. Today we have a thriving industry and a hospitality sector that is second to none.”
He explained that Air Malta is proud to play an integral role in the local hospitality chain as is the first contact with tourists coming over to the islands, “and as first impressions are important, the airline has a responsibility of offering our guests a traditional Maltese welcome and farewell” he said, adding “That is why Air Malta is not just any airline – it is the airline of the Maltese islands, a claim we proudly carry on our aircraft.” For more information about Hospitality Malta kindly contact iMNG Ltd on 2010 7775 or at info@imng.com