Malta
Contact:		Marie Anne Barthet Brown
Job Title:		Senior Marketing Manager MICE UK & Ireland Marketing Executive - UK & Ireland
Address:		Malta Tourist Office Unit C Parkhouse 14 Northfields London SW18 1DD United Kingdom
Tel:		0208 877 6993
Email:		This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web:		www.visitmalta.com/mice

Malta is a small island archipelago set at the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. Famed for its warm hospitality, bountiful history and beautiful scenery, the islands have long established themselves as an award-winning M.I.C.E. destination of choice. Whatever the size or type of event, Malta has the expertise and facilities needed to ensure a successful and above all memorable stay.

The compact size of the Maltese islands makes group travel here logistically simple, yet the diversity of the country means that groups can try their hand at all manner of activities within a stone’s throw of their accommodation – wherever they may be based. From sailing to diving, cycling, horse-riding, rock climbing and walking to gastronomy lessons or even sea-plane tours, Malta has it covered.

What’s more, Malta’s location some 90-miles south of Sicily means that the islands bask in glorious sunshine for over 300 days a year, Even in November temperatures easily reach 20 degrees, making it an all year round destination, perfect for business and incentive travellers.

Malta has an elite collection of venues from four- and five-star hotels to baroque palaces and exhibition centres catering from small board-room meetings to a crowd of 22,000 guests. For example, the 16th century Mediterranean Conference Centre, built by the Knights of St John as their flagship hospital, features a state-of-the-art 2,000-seat theatre plus several meeting rooms for workshops or break-out sessions and event space in one of Europe’s longest halls - all in magnificent baroque elegance. Also, the 300-year old farmhouse of Ir-Razzett L-Antik in the medieval village of Qormi is a fantastic place to do business in an atmospheric and intimate setting.

The Maltese islands have a wide selection of Quality Assured Destination Management Companies who are all English-speaking and have extensive experience in responding to the high standards demanded by the discerning travellers’ needs, making your event organisation easy and stress-free. This Quality Seal, specially developed by the Malta Tourism Authority, works to ensure all service providers meet the high levels of quality, consistency and professionalism in several key areas including customer service and feedback, sales procedures, staff training affiliation and insurance.

Malta is just a three-hour flight from the U.K and has direct flights from across the country, including London Gatwick and Heathrow, Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle and Edinburgh. Later in 2010 access to Malta will become even easier with new routes starting from Bournemouth, Leeds-Bradford, Liverpool John Lennon and East Midlands airports. Flights from the UK are split between Malta’s national carrier, Air Malta, and a number of low-cost options.

The islands central location also means that it is extremely easy for delegates from mainland Europe, north Africa and the Middle East to use Malta as a meeting hub, with direct flight connections available from across the globe.

For further information on the Maltese islands and to view a full list of the islands’ Quality Assured service providers, please visit  www.visitmalta.com/mice