Malta Announces New Incentive Programme for MICE Organisers

Magazine:
5th May, 2021
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Malta, a Mediterranean Archipelago, has recently become an increasingly attractive MICE destination for the North American market, with its historic and breathtaking outdoor event venues, excellent infrastructure and over 300 days of sunshine a year.

Especially important for these markets is that Malta is English speaking, has good air access, and no visa requirements and all at less cost than comparable mainland European destinations. Now, Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) has launched an incentive programme for MICE organisers for events held in Malta or its sister island of Gozo, with a grant of up to €150 (approx. $160 USD incl. vat) per event participant.

Christophe Berger, Director, Conventions Malta, said in a statement that "Malta’s connectivity with major European airports coupled with the many great outdoor spaces, safety protocols and a professional supplier network are some of the reasons why Malta is the ideal destination for meetings and incentive travel for organizations based in the United States and Canada. He said that he is confident that the new MICE Business Incentive will prove to be very attractive to organizations and their meeting and event planners in their efforts to boost post COVID Event Planning by offering attendees a new, unique, exciting and safe destination."

The aim of the scheme is to boost the MICE industry in Malta and Gozo to attract new MICE Business in 2021 and 2022, and achieve a long-term and sustainable recovery. Organisers who can prove that they are spending at least €800 (approx $960) per delegate on the Maltese Islands will receive a grant of €150 (approx. $160) per foreign delegate. Organisers who spend at least €600 (approx. $700) per invited person in Malta are entitled to a grant of €75 (approx. $90) per head. These expenses may include hotel accommodation, land transport, meals, excursions, team-building activities, event production and logistics and must be documented per participant. International flights or other means of travel to and from the Maltese Islands are excluded from the expenses.

Applications to participate in the Maltese Support Programme can be submitted online at www.bit.ly/micescheme from April 19, 2021.

Malta receives tourists again starting in June

As Malta prepares to welcome back tourists as of June 1, 2021, it opened up non-essential shops and services with plans to ease further measures within two weeks. The Mediterranean archipelago has been setting high standards in the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine, ever since its National Vaccination Program kicked off on December 27th, 2020. In fact, as of today, over 50% of the adult population has now been vaccinated with at least one dose of the vaccine, while 1 in 5 have also received the second dose as 100,686 second doses were administered as of Sunday April 25th, 2021.

Now, with people aged 40 and 50 plus currently registering to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, Malta is in fact the first country to be providing the vaccine to the general population age bracket. This is following a staggered approach, which saw various cohorts receive the vaccine as per their age, namely 85+ Years (93% vaccinated); 80+ years (89% vaccinated); 70+ Years (90% vaccinated); and 60+ years (85% vaccinated).

“All of this augurs well for when Malta intends to start welcoming back tourists from June 1st, 2021, confirmed by Malta’s Prime Minister, Robert Abela, during a recent press conference. The Malta Tourism Authority is launching various strategies as part of its Tourism Recovery Plan, aimed at incentivising tourists, hotels, and tour operators alike, to ensure that anyone can enjoy a safe, healthy and much-needed summer holiday,” Johann Buttigieg, MTA CEO said.

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