VisitMalta Receives Two Major International Awards
The Organic Opportunity
June 30, 2026A Double Recognition for the VisitMalta office in the United States.
VisitMalta has received two major international honours, strengthening Malta’s reputation as a leading Mediterranean destination for both maritime tourism and inclusive travel.
At Seatrade Cruise Global 2026, held between the 13th and 16th April, VisitMalta was presented with the prestigious Navigator Magazine Excellence Award for Destination. The honour recognises destinations that combine exceptional maritime infrastructure with strong visitor appeal, and reflects Malta’s continued rise within the global superyacht and cruise sectors.
The award was presented by Daniel Wade, Global Head of Partnerships and Chief Content Officer at the VisitMalta stand. Accepting on behalf of the Malta Tourism Authority were Arthur Grima, Director of International Marketing, together with Michelle Buttigieg, Representative for the North American market.
Presented by Navigator, the publication of global yacht brokerage firm Northrop & Johnson, the award acknowledged Malta’s unique blend of modern facilities and rich cultural heritage. Malta is home to the world’s largest number of registered mega yachts and offers several highly regarded marinas, including Msida Yacht Marina, Mġarr Harbour and Vittoriosa Yacht Marina, which is twinned with Saint-Tropez.
From left: Navigator’s Daniel Wade, VisitMalta's Michelle Buttigieg, & VisitMalta’s Arthur Grima
The celebrations continued just days later in Miami,
where VisitMalta North America was honoured at Global
Traveler’s 14th Annual Lifestyle Awards Gala, held on the
20th April at the InterContinental Miami. Michelle Buttigieg
received the Destination Leader of the Year award in
recognition of her longstanding efforts to promote Malta
across the North American market.
The award was presented by Francis X. Gallagher, CEO and Publisher of Global Traveler, who praised Buttigieg’s work in raising awareness of Malta’s history, culture and accessibility among U.S. travellers. Since her appointment in 2014, visitor arrivals from the United States and Canada have increased more than fourfold, helping position Malta among the fastest-growing Mediterranean destinations for North American tourists.
VisitMalta was also presented with the Outstanding Social Responsibility Award, reflecting the islands’ continued commitment to equality and inclusivity, particularly for LGBTQIA+ residents and visitors. Buttigieg noted that Malta has ranked first on ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Map for ten consecutive years, highlighting the country’s progressive legislation and strong legal protections.
She also pointed to Malta’s growing appeal as a wedding and honeymoon destination within the American LGBTQIA+ travel market, supported by national equality initiatives and the annual Pride celebrations held in Valletta.
The award was presented by Francis X. Gallagher, CEO and Publisher of Global Traveler, who praised Buttigieg’s work in raising awareness of Malta’s history, culture and accessibility among U.S. travellers. Since her appointment in 2014, visitor arrivals from the United States and Canada have increased more than fourfold, helping position Malta among the fastest-growing Mediterranean destinations for North American tourists.
VisitMalta was also presented with the Outstanding Social Responsibility Award, reflecting the islands’ continued commitment to equality and inclusivity, particularly for LGBTQIA+ residents and visitors. Buttigieg noted that Malta has ranked first on ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Map for ten consecutive years, highlighting the country’s progressive legislation and strong legal protections.
She also pointed to Malta’s growing appeal as a wedding and honeymoon destination within the American LGBTQIA+ travel market, supported by national equality initiatives and the annual Pride celebrations held in Valletta.
The Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) was formally set up by the Malta Travel and Tourism Service Act (1999). This clearly defines its role - extending it beyond that of international marketing to include a domestic, motivating, directional, co-ordinating and regulatory role. The Act strengthens the public and private partnership in tourism through greater and more direct participation by the private sector in national planning and development of the industry.
For more information visit https://www.mta.com.mt/
Click here to see Horeca Issue 24 online
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