Alan Arrigo

Q: From your perspective, what are the most significant
shifts in traveller behaviour and expectations, and how
is your organisation adapting?

A: Today’s traveller is far more informed, discerning, and
intentional. There is a clear shift towards personalised,
meaningful experiences that align with individual values
and interests. This evolution moves the industry away
from standardised, volume-driven tourism towards
more curated and authentic offerings. At Robert Arrigo &
Sons, we have embraced this shift by focusing on quality,
curation, and authenticity. Leveraging technology allows
us to design and deliver tailored experiences, ensuring
personalisation without compromising quality.

Q: Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in
the travel sector. What practical steps is your company
taking to promote more responsible tourism in Malta?

A: Sustainability must shape how tourism operates, not
just how it is marketed. Our Travelife certification journey
helped formalise practices we were already implementing,
providing a structured framework to measure impact,
set benchmarks, and drive continuous improvement.
Today, sustainability is embedded across our operations,
guiding decision-making at every level. Importantly,
clients increasingly expect this, as travellers actively seek
experiences aligned with their values and prefer partners
who demonstrate genuine commitment.

Q: Malta’s recent record numbers are putting pressure
on the destination. What should be the next steps to
protect against over-tourism?

A: The focus must now shift towards balance—between
residents’ quality of life, environmental preservation, and
the long-term sustainability of the tourism value chain.
Malta cannot continue to define success purely by arrival
numbers. A more meaningful metric is inflation-adjusted
spend per tourist, which reflects value rather than
volume. This is a position I have consistently advocated
through The Malta Chamber, which has proposed
practical measures to safeguard competitiveness while
maintaining the island’s appeal and liveability.

Q: Looking ahead, what are the biggest opportunities
and challenges for DMCs in Malta?

A: The coming years will separate transactional operators
from true destination partners. Opportunities lie in
experience design, innovation, and attracting higheryield segments that value expertise and relationships.
However, challenges such as rising costs, talent
shortages, and increasingly complex client expectations
will require careful navigation. DMCs that invest in data,
sustainability, collaboration, and long-term thinking will
be best positioned to lead, ultimately raising standards
across the industry.