Malta has established itself over the past 20 years as a conference and incentives destination and has welcomed numerous multinational companies and their big events including Coca Cola, Bosch, General Electric, Givenchy, IBM, Johnson and Johnson, Thomas Cook, BP, Opel, Novartis, Microsoft, Toyota, Toshiba and Vodafone.
The three main Maltese islands are Malta, Gozo and Comino, although there are also three smaller uninhabited islands. The population is 400,000 and Maltese and English are official languages.
The 7,000 year-long relationship between the Maltese islanders and the various nationalities that have occupied Malta over the centuries has created a marriage of styles and traditions, resulting in an eclectic culture and warm hospitality. Out of this mix has sprung a lively and creative community of event suppliers and agencies.
Accessibility is a key attraction for organisers choosing Malta for their main event. The Islands are connected by air in under three hours from most major European destinations.
The island’s size adds to the internal accessibility, with short transfer distances leaving more time for programme activities.
Malta’s five- and four-star conference hotels are mostly clustered within walking distance of each other. MD of events management agency Unconventional Malta, Fiona Captur, says Malta is good value. “Distances are small and hotels are in clusters so typically you may save on your transportation budget as, if planned well, everything you need is within walking distance.”
UK Director of the Malta Tourism Authority, Alex Incorvaja agrees: “Easily accessible and practical, our unique venues are great value for money.”
For those worried about perception and lavish meetings at a time of austerity, Captur says: “Malta is a low-key destination that is not associated with glamour and this has stood us in good stead.” She notes the growing number of pharma clients that are notoriously circumspect in their destination choice.
History is likely to play well with procurement departments when it comes to playing down the frivolous side of events and incentives. Malta has a variety of historical gems available as venues, including the former 16th century hospital of the Knights of St John, The Mediterranean Conference Centre (MCC).
It offers a theatre seating 2,000 and more than a touch of baroque splendour. MCC Chairman Dr Peter Fenech says the venue attracted over 35,000 delegates last year.
The Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre is the largest venue in Malta with a pillar-free space of 7,000sqm able to accommodate up to 10,000 seated and 22,000 standing beneath the tension fabric structure formerly used to cover Wembley Arena in London.
Malta has 15 five-star hotels which offer over 7,000 beds. The chains are well represented, including Hilton, Radisson, InterContinental, Le Meridien, Kempinski, Westin, as well as Malta’s own Corinthia Hotels International.
For those searching for smaller, boutique properties, there is the Palazzo Capua in Sliema and the Xara Palace, a Relais et Chateaux independent boutique hotel in the medieval walled city of Mdina.
There are also 41 four-star hotels on the island, providing an additional 14,000 beds.
Captur adds: “Malta has a history speckled with quite a few key moments that have left their mark on its people. As a result, the range of venues Malta has to offer goes right across the spectrum, from unique ancient locations, to the Hilton’s state-of-the-art conference centre which sits right on the Mediterranean. There is something for everyone. Old and new. Traditional or trendy.”
Malta’s Mediterranean climate is a big draw for organisers, especially its mild winters.
When it’s cold in Europe and North America in November, Malta can offer a range of outdoor activities, on land and on sea, dining under the stars or treasure hunting underwater.
A final word of cautionary advice from Captur: “Perhaps the one thing that planners tend not to expect is just how quickly word gets around in Malta, something to bear in mind especially when negotiating prices. We all talk to each other so we all know exactly what everybody is up to. Clients included!” Captur’s company works in partnership with the Ovation agency as “a local nose on the ground.
“We know what venues are in, where a new building site is about to appear, what property is changing hands and where the trendiest spot is. These are the angles that anybody booking services direct will definitely miss”.
———————————————————————————————————————————————–
Case study: Suzuki Germany
DMC in Malta: EC Meetings
PCO in Germany: CITS
Client: Suzuki International Europe (Deutschland Dealer Network)
Delegates: 600
Type of event: Incentive and dealer conference
Venue hotels: Hilton (main) and Intercontinental
THURSDAY 21 OCTOBER 2010:
• The group arrived on four different flights from Germany and the early arrivals were taken on a harbour cruise with lunch.
• All other arrivals transferred directly to the Exhibition Hall where hotel check in and registration was arranged.
• The meeting proper started in Republic Hall, including the presentation of the new Suzuki Kizhasi.
• The group then transferred to Montekristo where they enjoyed a stand up dinner, with eight food stalls and bars on the Piazza. Strolling musicians kept the clients and the group was transferred by coach back to the hotels.
FRIDAY 22 OCTOBER 2010:
• After breakfast the groups were split into four for a day of tours.
• Activities included a walk through Rabat and a trip to Malta’s ancient capital Mdina; a transfer to Qormi for lunch at Razzet L-Antik and then a tour of the capital Valletta; a visit to Upper Barracca Gardens, St. John’s Co-Cathedral.
• One group sailed by wooden sailing gullets from the Hilton up Malta’s coastline to the sister island of Gozo. On arrival, the clients had a 4×4 island tour before returning to the Hilton via the Blue Lagoon on speedboats.
• In the evening the whole group took over six top restaurants, all within walking distance of the Hilton and Intercontinental hotels. Many went on to sample the local nightlife.
SATURDAY 23 OCTOBER 2010:
On Saturday, the tours were mixed and delegates had a chance to sample the experiences they had missed on the Friday. The group departed on the Sunday.
———————————————————————————————————————————————-
Did you know…
• Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh lived in Malta on and off between 1949 and 1951.
• The Maltese Islands have three UNESCO World Heritage listings: the city of Valletta, the Hypogeum and seven megalithic temples.
• Ggantija Temples outside the village of Xaghra are the oldest free-standing structures in the world dating back to 3600 BC. The temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site are one of the earliest known meeting places (for rituals).
• In WW2 the island fortress of Malta held out against enemy attack until August 1944. The people of Malta are the only people awarded the George Cross collectively as a nation. The George Cross is woven into the Flag of Malta.
• The Maltese eight-pointed cross is the symbol of the Order of the Knights of St John.
• Sweden’s Oriflame Cosmetics company held the largest ever convention in Malta in August 2010. Organised by the On Site Malta agency, it drew 4,200 delegates.
