Melanie Tabone

Q: How do you balance the demands of your studies
with any work experience or internships?
A: This is definitely one of the toughest parts of my
journey. Alongside studying to become a tourist guide,
I’ve been working at a destination management
company since 2022. As anyone in the industry knows,
this isn’t your typical nine to five job. It often requires
long hours and flexibility, which makes juggling both
commitments a real challenge.

That said, I’m incredibly lucky to have a strong support
system. My family, especially my mum, plays a huge
role in helping me manage everything. She takes on a
lot of the daily responsibilities at home, which allows
me to focus on studying after work. Without that kind of
support, I don’t think I’d be able to manage it all as well.

Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in hospitality/
tourism/culinary arts?
A: Honestly, tourism wasn’t on my radar at all when I
was younger. I spent most of my academic life studying
the hard sciences, with plans to enter the medical
field. My goal was always to help people, but after
some hands-on experience, I realised the hospital
environment just wasn’t the right fit for me.

I still wanted to make a difference in people’s lives, and that’s when a friend of mine, who was studying Tourism at University, encouraged me to consider the field. I took the leap, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made.

I immediately felt at home – it was something that just
clicked for me. There’s also a bit of family influence
as my father worked in the industry for some time, so
perhaps it was in my blood all along.

Q: What was the most surprising thing you learned
while working in a real-world hospitality environment?
A: I was honestly blown away by what a lot happens
behind the scenes. There’s a massive amount of
planning, coordination, and detail involved in making
sure every guest has a seamless and memorable
experience. People usually only see the final product:
the smiling faces, the smooth logistics… But there’s so
much hard work and problem-solving that goes into
delivering that kind of service.

Q: How do you plan to continue developing your skills
after graduation?
A: Once I obtain my tourist guide license, I’m really
looking forward to stepping out from behind the desk
and into the spotlight – sharing the stories, heritage,
and culture of our beautiful island directly with visitors.
While my current role mostly involves planning and
coordinating experiences, I can’t wait to take that
knowledge and bring it to life in the field.

Q: How do you plan to make a positive impact on the
hospitality industry, either locally or globally?
A: My passion lies in promoting authentic, local
experiences. I love working with small businesses and
local artisans to build programmes that reflect the true
spirit of Malta. It’s incredibly fulfilling to help travellers
connect with our culture in a genuine way.

There’s something special about seeing people light up when
they experience something real and rooted in tradition.
That kind of authenticity is what makes destinations
memorable – and I’d like to keep pushing for more of
that in the industry, both here and beyond.