It is my pleasure to be present for this year’s edition of the Mediterranean Tourism Awards Gala, hosted by the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation. It has been ten years since the establishment of these prestigious awards to honour those who work tirelessly in the tourism and hospitality sectors.
Since 2014, the Mediterranean Tourism Awards have celebrated the leading figures and initiatives in Mediterranean tourism, setting the standard for innovation knowledge and experience sharing across the sector.
Tonight’s awards do not only recognise pioneering efforts in tourism, that align with the Foundation’s core policies and vision, but put to the fore the latest advances that enrich the sector within the Mediterranean basin.
These awards also honour those academics, scholars, governmental and non-governmental institutions, who seek to promote the tourism not only in an innovative, but also in a sustainable manner, over the past year. These accolades highlight the exceptional talent and forward-thinking projects shaping the future of Mediterranean tourism.
These awards, therefore, honour exceptional achievements across diverse areas of the industry, celebrating and promoting best practices in hospitality, cultural preservation, environmental sustainability, and innovation.
The Mediterranean Sea has been, and still is, one of the most, if not the most, important sea basin on earth. This is primarily due to the cultural diversity present within its precincts. The Mediterranean links the European continent with the rest of Eurasia, the Middle East and Africa and since times immemorial, it has served as a primary trade route. It is truly a crossroad of civilisations, and a treasure trove of biodiversity.
As a small island nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta has, for centuries, drawn on the rich resources of the surrounding sea to thrive and evolve—growing not only in economic strength but also progressing as a nation that nurtures cultural diversity, resilience, and innovation.
Tourism has been the cornerstone for economic growth in Malta, directly and indirectly, accounting for more than 30% of our GDP. This growth happened gradually, with the implementation of various initiatives such as expanded air and sea connectivity between Malta, Europe and other continents, including Africa and the Eurasian region.
The benefits from increased connectivity has proved beneficial to all the neighbouring nations, and today we look at such sector as an indispensable part of most countries’ GDPs. Apart from the financial aspect, tourism also serves as a bridge between cultures, where people can delve deeper and explore another country’s natural and historical heritage.
The richness and abundance of experiences the Mediterranean provides is the main reason that the Mediterranean attracts more than one third of the world’s tourism market.
The Mediterranean Tourism Forum is the right platform to bring together the best brains from the tourism and hospitality sector of the area to exchange views, research and new practices. At this juncture, we consider this year’s theme; Mediterranean – Amidst Rapid Transformational Shifts – ARTS.
This theme captures the immense challenges and opportunities facing our region today. With complex geopolitical shifts, natural disasters, and the growing effects of climate change, the need to build a resilient, sustainable tourism sector has never been more urgent.
Geopolitical shifts, natural disasters, climate change, apart from instability, have hit the tourism niche hard in many countries, leaving many searching for a viable solution to recover.
Geopolitical conflict in our region has also negatively impacted the sector, leaving negative ripple effects on neighbouring countries who, like Malta, are also heavily dependent on the sector for development and growth.
Poor management and unsustainable practices in tourism and infrastructure have inflicted lasting damage on the ecosystems, and the natural resources of the region, and led to a significant rise in material waste. In certain instances, the region has also suffered a deterioration of artefacts, and even structures dating from past civilisations.
In this context, the Mediterranean Tourism Awards and the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation play a vital role in recognizing the innovative leaders who are driving positive change across the region and who are solution oriented.
The forum is a great opportunity to create mutually beneficial relationships between stakeholders from different countries, stakeholders having shared values and goals. In turn, these relationships will foster collaboration among Mediterranean countries, inspire healthy competition among tourism stakeholders, and enhance the global identity of the Mediterranean region.
They also serve to find alternatives to rekindle the Mediterranean identity from within and continue to present it to those tourists who seek it.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The work conducted by the Foundation in its efforts to commit itself to a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous Mediterranean that inspires us all is commendable. I am confident that together, we will continue to overcome the challenges we face and build a brighter future for generations to come.
I renew my gratitude to the organisers and founders, Tony Zahra and Andrew Agius Muscat, participants and congratulate all nominees for tonight’s awards.
