.webp?language=en)
Date: 9 October 2026
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has honoured Carlo Micallef, CEO of the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA), with a WTTC Award recognising his leadership and the MTA's outstanding support in hosting and helping deliver the WTTC Global Summit in Malta.
The award was presented during the Summit's Closing Ceremony in Valletta, in recognition of the close collaboration between WTTC, the Malta Tourism Authority and the Government of Malta in bringing the global event to the Maltese Islands for the first time.
The WTTC Global Summit has brought together more than 1,000 delegates, including over 200 of the world's leading Travel & Tourism CEOs and government leaders from across the globe, positioning Malta at the centre of international discussions on the future of the sector.
Through its support and partnership, the Malta Tourism Authority has played a key role in ensuring the successful delivery of the Summit, showcasing Malta's hospitality, tourism offering and ability to host world-class international events.
WTTC's latest Economic Impact Research shows that Travel & Tourism is forecast to contribute US$4.9 billion to Malta's economy in 2026, representing 16.9% of the country's GDP and supporting more than one in five jobs across the country.
The latest data also highlights Malta as one of Europe's strongest tourism performers. In 2025, the country recorded the highest annual increase in Travel & Tourism's GDP contribution among all European economies, growing by 16.8%, compared with the European average of 2.6%.
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC, said: “Carlo Micallef and the Malta Tourism Authority have been exceptional partners in hosting the WTTC Global Summit. Their dedication, leadership and commitment have been instrumental in bringing our global community together in Malta and ensuring the success of this landmark event."
"This award recognises the tremendous support provided by Carlo and his team throughout the organisation of the Summit and their commitment to showcasing Malta as a world-class destination for Travel & Tourism and international events."
The MTA became a WTTC Destination Partner in August 2026, further strengthening cooperation between Malta’s tourism authority and the global Travel & Tourism private sector.
– ENDS –
For more information about WTTC, please visit wttc.org
For media enquiries, please contact Paul Charles / Philip Allport /
Rob Morris at The PC Agency via [email protected]
About the World Travel & Tourism Council
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is the global body representing the private sector of Travel & Tourism and the leading authority on the sector’s economic and social contribution worldwide. Its members include Chairmen, Presidents and CEOs of the world’s leading travel and tourism companies across hotels, airlines, airports, cruise lines, tour operators, technology platforms and destinations, spanning every major region globally.
WTTC works to advance sustainable growth across the Travel & Tourism sector by driving collaboration between industry leaders and governments, shaping global policy, and providing authoritative research on the sector’s economic impact worldwide.