This year’s Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association’s annual general meeting has been expanded to include talks by top international speakers who will offer their advice to the local industry.

“Our foreign guest speakers, both of whom hold extremely prominent positions within the industry, were chosen for their area of expertise on subjects which are extremely relevant in prevailing market conditions, and will talk about the latest developments affecting the tourism industry,” said MHRA president George Micallef.

The first presentation will be by Jörn Gieschen, director of destination strategy and marketing for THR International Tourism Consultants. He will be discussing the importance of destination innovation, and will be calling on his experience gained from working with one of the world’s leading and most established tourism consulting firms.

In the second presentation, Helena Egan, TripAdvisor’s destination marketing director, will talk about the “power of positive opinion”. Ms Egan brings over 13 years’ experience in the travel and tourism industry to the conference. She joined TripAdvisor from Travel Weekly, US, and has also worked for Visit Britain and numerous cruise lines during her career.

Additionally, the conference will feature an address by opposition leader Joseph Muscat and a closing speech by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.

Tourism Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco will also be addressing the association members during the first session. “This conference gives us the opportunity to report on the issues affecting Malta’s performance in the tourism industry, as well as the chance to highlight issues that the MHRA would like the authorities and stakeholders to address,” added Mr Micallef.

“We want to create more awareness of the issues affecting the industry, both locally and internationally, and to create a debate between the private industry and the government in order to continue to successfully develop this important sector of the economy.”

Top government officials, former ministers for tourism, constituted bodies, key industry stakeholders and former association presidents have also been invited to the AGM. The conference, which will he held immediately after the AGM, will take place at the Phoenicia Hotel on Friday at 11a.m.