Air Malta’s chief commercial officer Philip Saunders presenting cabin crew member Vanessa Buhagiar with the Air Malta Sales Blitz Champion Award 2013.Air Malta’s chief commercial officer Philip Saunders presenting cabin crew member Vanessa Buhagiar with the Air Malta Sales Blitz Champion Award 2013.

Air Malta staff have been travelling around Europe to promote the airline and the Maltese islands among foreign travel agencies and tour operators. The Sales Blitz was held in conjunction with the Malta Tourism Authority.

“The initiative offers a fantastic avenue for growth and development, both for the brand and the airline’s staff. The personal contact of employees with prospective clients makes the exchange far more memorable and valuable, providing a holistic experience,” said Philip Saunders, Air Malta’s chief commercial officer.

Staff volunteers, assisted by the airline’s representatives in the particular country, were given the chance to meet with travel agents and discuss the attractive opportunities Malta offers as a destination.

The teams discussed details of Air Malta’s flight schedule, prices and products with the aim of developing new business opportunities.

The Greek team, led by Kostas Moschidis and assisted by cabin crew Vanessa Buhagiar, received Sales Blitz Champion 2013 award.

They scored the largest amount of bookings on new business development in foreign countries.

“Together, Moschidis and Buhagiar sold more than 1,000 airline seats.

“Overall, this year’s Sales Blitz sold more than 10,000 seats, generating around €1.2 million after a six- month snapshot, €600,000 of which is new business for 2013,” Saunders said.

The five-day trips consisted of approximately 20 meetings with potential new business clients in more than 10 countries all over Europe, including the UK, Italy, Belgium, Austria and the Netherlands. The selected Air Malta staff were trained on sales techniques.

This job rotation initiative helps improve the overall organisational performance levels, as skills which may be maximised are defined and developed to stimulate sales.

It simultaneously generates a more holistic airline perspective through this new work opportunity, Air Malta said.

The project is led by Daniela Mtanos and Charles Cilia, head of sales and regions.

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