The Amitex travel fair was inaugurated at Ta’ Qali yesterday evening and continues throughout this weekend.
In an address, Air Malta Chief Executive Louis Giordimaina spoke on how the fair coincided with the airline’s 40th anniversary.
The fair, he said, had grown in leaps and bounds ever since it was first set up 21 years ago.
“AMITEX is a showcase of opportunity - an opportunity for Maltese travellers to plan their holidays with you … and of course with your airline of choice, Air Malta,” he said.
Air Malta would this summer be operating scheduled services to 33 destinations with 165 weekly flights. New destinations this season include Venice and Parma.
The airline recently also started flying to Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen Airport and will again operate a twice weekly service to Algiers.
Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis charted the growth of outgoing tourism, noting that last year 363,000 trips started from Malta, an increase of 9.8% on 2012.
He stressed that Air Malta was vital because of its unrivalled commitment to the country. To support this airline was critical because of the service it gave to outgoing and income tourism as well as operating cargo and postal services and ferrying patients.
The sacrifices made as part of the restructuring of the airline, including the sale of assets and the restrictions on its expansion in the EU, had been tough but was paying off, he said.
The airline had regained its confidence and was raising its momentum.
Dr Zammit Lewis said the government was committed to integrate the airline more closely in its tourism plans.
Some 40 travel companies are taking part in the fair, which is open today between 6.30pm and 10.30pm, tomorrow from 6.30pm to 11.00pm, and Sunday from 2.30pm to 9.30pm.