Author Archives: alan.arrigo

As Malta amps up its efforts to keep its COVID-19 case load low and vaccine administration high, it’s also gearing up to welcome visitors back to its shores from 1st June. But many in the local tourism industry have been left baffled by the UK’s decision to omit Malta from its ‘green list’ of safeContinue reading “‘The goal this year is not to close’ says tourism expert Alan Arrigo as summer bookings pick up”

As Malta’s tourism industry counts the days to its planned reopening in June, operators are reporting a hesitant wait-and-see approach towards booking from prospective visitors. “The interest to travel is high, but people have taken the wait-and-see approach, waiting for when it is truly safe to travel,” said Iain Tonna, president of the Federated AssociationContinue reading “Tourism operators report wait-and-see approach”

Tourism in Malta is highly complex and it takes experienced professionals to navigate it properly. Luckily, the Institute of Tourism, Travel and Culture within the University of Malta have recently published research that focuses on a number of key areas and themes, trying to shed light and clarify these topics and arguments. The book, TOURISMContinue reading “BOOK LAUNCH by University of Malta – Tourism and the Maltese Islands”

Alan Arrigo talks about overtourism and why quality trumps luxury ahead of his bid for the Malta Chamber Council Tourism is bearing the brunt of the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, with tourist numbers at low levels not seen in decades. However, a vocal representative of the sector in its entirety remains lacking, withContinue reading “Tourism after COVID: fulfilling Malta’s promise”

Tourism operators say bookings from the UK are focused on next year Sun-starved British travellers have started to book holidays in Malta – but not until 2022, according to travel experts. The UK is traditionally the biggest driver of tourism on the island, accounting for one inseven people who arrived at the airport before theContinue reading “Malta 2022? Brits delay booking their holidays”

Alan Arrigo, Director at Robert Arrigo & Sons, on the importance of restoring air-connectivity for Malta’s tourism industry in view of the efforts carried out by the country to diversify the share of incoming tourists The impending end to the transition period following the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union has thrown further doubtsContinue reading “‘Restoring air connections crucial for tourism to benefit from eventual global recovery in a post-pandemic era’”

Most of the tourism industry agrees with what Tony Zahra, president of the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA), said during a webinar organised by Horeca Magazine: offer free flights to the islands in a bid to attract tourists. The webinar assessed how the Hospitality Industry needs to gear itself for the coming ‘winter’ monthsContinue reading “Travel industry responds to Tony Zahra’s free airline tickets proposal”