Ian De Cesare, Eden Leisure Group’s co-founder and chairman, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for services to Tourism in Malta by the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation at its annual international gala concert and awards ceremony held at the Mediterranean Conference centre.

The award recognises a lifetime achievement of individuals with visionary leadership and significant contribution throughout the nominee’s careers as an inspirational role model for the development of Mediterranean travel and tourism at a national, regional and international level.

Mr De Cesare is a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality. He held the position of president of the Malta Hotels and Restaurant Association from 1986 to 1989. He was board member of the NTOM/MTA and the Institute for Tourism Studies boards for a number of years and has been chairman of the Eden Leisure Group since 2001.

“Having recently retired from my executive role after 48 years in the hospitality industry, I am seriously honoured and privileged to have received this amazing recognition from my peers. I have always believed in leading by example and I have been fortunate to be part of our industry’s growth from its inception in the 60s from a cottage industry to the global business it is today. I encourage our young people to choose a career in hospitality; it is not easy but I cannot think of any job more rewarding than ours.”