18 destination companies awarded

In an award ceremony at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, 18 Destination Management Companies (DMCs), businesses that offer a complete package for the meetings/incentives/conferences/events market, were awarded the new Malta Tourism Authority Quality Assured seal.

This voluntary scheme is based on various criteria that contribute towards recognising a quality DMC. Criteria include general liability insurance, three years of operation and financial stability, staff training, efficiency at responding to clients' requests, and recommendations from clients and suppliers.

This scheme was also launched at the Malta stand at the EIBTM fair in Barcelona towards the end of last year. During this leading specialised business fair, the MTA presented informative leaflets about this new scheme to inform interested decision-makers on this initiative.

This flyer will direct target audiences to a dedicated page on the official MTA website www.visitmalta.com/destination-management-companies, where one can find the criteria to achieve this quality seal and the list of the DMCs which have achieved it.

DMCs account for a high percentage of business travel that is brought to Malta. According to NSO statistics, between January and November last year, business travel accounted for 8.6 per cent of total arrivals, or 106,884 tourists. This represents an increase of 15.7 per cent over the same period in 2007.