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Date: 9 October 2026
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has presented H.E. Jo Etienne Abela, Minister for Tourism of Malta, with a WTTC Award in recognition of his leadership and support in bringing the WTTC Global Summit to Malta and helping make the event a success.
Presented during the Summit’s Closing Ceremony, the award recognises the Minister’s commitment to supporting the event, as well as the collaboration between the Government of Malta, the Malta Tourism Authority and WTTC in welcoming the global Travel & Tourism community 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, providing Malta with a unique platform to showcase its tourism offering, hospitality and long-term vision for the sector.
For many delegates, the Summit has provided their first opportunity to experience Malta first-hand. Throughout the week, the destination has showcased its rich heritage, vibrant culture, world-class hospitality and ability to host major international events, reinforcing its position as one of Europe’s leading tourism destinations.
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 GDP contribution among all European economies, growing by 16.8%, compared with the European average of 2.6%.
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC, said: “Minister Abela has been an outstanding partner throughout our journey to bring the WTTC Global Summit to Malta. His support, commitment and leadership have been instrumental in ensuring the success of this event and in welcoming our global community to the Maltese Islands.”
Malta has been a wonderful host. Delegates from around the world have experienced firsthand the warmth, professionalism and hospitality that make this destination so special. This award recognises Minister Abela’s contribution to making that possible and his commitment to supporting a thriving Travel & Tourism sector.”
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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.