Malta’s tourism industry has never been busier. Tourist arrivals reached approximately four million last year, more than double the 1.8 million recorded in 2015. Total tourism expenditure climbed to €3.9 billion. By any conventional measure, the sector is thriving. But conventional measures can be misleading. When we adjust for inflation, average spending per tourist hasContinue reading “Managing Success, Not Just Growth: Why Malta’s Tourism Model Needs a New Scorecard”
Author Archives: alan.arrigo
We need to offer tourists more value while respecting what residents are willing to change – The Malta Chamber
Malta must offer tourists more value in their visits to the Maltese islands while respecting what local residents are willing to change, and The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry believes that this can be done if the government heeds its published Rediscover to Align tourism strategy. Speaking to The Malta Independent on Sunday,Continue reading “We need to offer tourists more value while respecting what residents are willing to change – The Malta Chamber”
Tourism success isn’t about guest nights. It’s about value
Celebrating guest nights instead of arrivals may sound progressive. But without measuring real value per tourist, we’re still optimising for volume, while residents keep feeling the strain, writes Alan Arrigo The recent opinion piece in Times of Malta penned by MTA CEO Carlo Micallef rightly questions whether headcount alone is an intelligent way to assessContinue reading “Tourism success isn’t about guest nights. It’s about value”
Malta’s Tourism Industry in 2026: A Year of Growth, Pressure, and Necessary Rebalancing
Malta anticipates strong tourism numbers in 2026, potentially reaching 4.2-4.5 million visitors. However, issues of oversupply, declining local value, and inconsistent regulation threaten sustainability. Residents face increased pressures from tourism, impacting attractiveness. A reformed regulatory framework focused on quality and experience is crucial for balancing growth and preserving local interests.
Why Hosting Global Tourism Networks Matters for Malta’s Place in the Value Chain
When Malta hosts an international tourism event, it is often framed in terms of visibility or destination promotion. Those elements matter, but they are not the real reason such events are strategically important. The deeper value lies in how they position Malta within the global tourism value chain, and in how they expose the destinationContinue reading “Why Hosting Global Tourism Networks Matters for Malta’s Place in the Value Chain”
Beyond heads on pillows
Let’s measure tourism success in real value In 2024, Malta welcomed over 3.5 million tourists, with projections suggesting over four million in 2025. While these milestones are often celebrated, locals and industry operators increasingly view them as excessive. Are we measuring the right kind of success? Tourism performance has long been measured by volume: arrivals,Continue reading “Beyond heads on pillows”
Can Malta keep up blockbuster increase in tourist arrivals throughout 2025?
The Malta Tourism Authority’s use of tailored marketing to niche markets is paying off, says Alan Arrigo Malta has kicked off 2025 with a surge in tourist arrivals, registering a staggering 25 per cent increase over the same period in 2024. This trend, if sustained throughout the year, could see the country welcoming close toContinue reading “Can Malta keep up blockbuster increase in tourist arrivals throughout 2025?”
Alan Arrigo on why Malta needs to shift focus from tourist numbers to quality experiences
While record-breaking arrival numbers may seem positive, they have also raised concerns about sustainability and the overall visitor experience As Malta continues to see record-breaking tourist arrival numbers, concerns about sustainability and visitor experience are mounting. Alan Arrigo, Co-CEO of Robert Arrigo & Sons and a council member of the Malta Chamber, sheds light onContinue reading “Alan Arrigo on why Malta needs to shift focus from tourist numbers to quality experiences”
TOURISM IN MALTA
AN OUTLOOK FOR 2025 As we step into 2025, Malta’s tourism sector is on the brink of another year of growth, driven by rising tourist arrivals and the launch of new real estate developments in the accommodation sector. However, this growth brings challenges that call for strategic management and foresight from both operators and publicContinue reading “TOURISM IN MALTA”
Opinion: Are we getting better at tourism, or just getting more of it?
Success in tourism will not just be measured by the numbers Malta’s tourism figures continue to break records. In 2024, the country welcomed 3.56 million tourists, reinforcing a long-standing focus on volume. But beyond the headline numbers, the reality is more complex. While visitor spending was marginally higher than in 2023 when adjusted for inflation,Continue reading “Opinion: Are we getting better at tourism, or just getting more of it?”
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