Through the European Union funding mechanism called the European Regional and Development Fund (ERDF), Island Hotels Group has improved its already renowned product in order to maintain its reputation for excellence in the Mediterranean.
Through the first round of the ERDF Grant Scheme for Tourism Projects by Enterprises in early 2009, the Group funded various aspects of its project activities and consolidated existing markets whilst simultaneously tapping into new avenues of custom. In particular, the project targeted the lucrative business tourism segment, a niche market that has grown in importance in recent times as Malta has sought to establish itself as a centre for business in Southern Europe.
This was tackled through, among other measures, the purchase of Jacuzzis and the Business Multi-Function Units (Scanner/Fax/Copier/Printer) for the six Junior Suites for Radisson Blu St. Julian’s. These items helped increase the hotel’s appeal among business clients. The project also successfully attracted other niche tourism markets like weddings, diving and culture through a specific marketing campaign.
In addition, the project enhanced the group’s sustainable operations and its environmental consciousness through the purchase of a reverse-osmosis plant and a waste management system.
Through the second round of ERDF funding in late 2009, Island Hotels Group continued the thrust towards the business market. This was achieved through the installation of wireless internet at the Radisson Blu St. Julian’s and the Radisson Blu Golden Sands, which helped increase the hotels’ attractiveness amongst business and high-end clients. Unlike most hotels, this service is offered to clients as complimentary thus increasing value added to the client.
As part of the project, a weddings micro site was created within the Island Caterers Website in order to further promote Malta as a wedding destination. The project also enhanced the group’s operations through the installation of Paperless Office Software, hand-held systems for restaurants/bars/stock-taking and housekeeping, an uninterruptable power supply for the server room; As well as smart-boards, a GPS control system and hand-held palm readers.
Both projects were conceived with Malta’s tourism product in mind. As envisaged, they have successfully led to substantial positive spill-over effects, thereby benefitting other tourism establishments in the locality and the tourism industry more generally. There are various EU funding mechanisms available to Maltese establishments and Island Hotels Group hopes to benefit from more of these in future.
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