FEBRUARY 2023

One of the most memorable times to be visiting the Maltese islands is late winter when the country explodes into a frenzy of song and dance as the annual carnival season gets underway. The local carnival is an annual event that has everyone talking, drawing thousands of people from all over the world.

The capital city Valletta comes to a stand still as coloured floats fill the streets. The programme features everything ranging from photographic exhibitions to shows, dances and parades.

Ready for more? Hop on a ferry to Malta’s sister island Gozo to witness celebrations like no other. Like in Malta, festivities span an entire week, with the main celebrations taking place in the capital, Victoria. The little village of Nadur steps it up a notch with its wild street celebrations, but unlike other locations, takes on a sombre and dark mood because of the macabre costumes and floats.

Our advice? Don’t miss these celebrations if you can help it. Gozo itself is chock-full of amazing scenery with hiking trails scattered throughout, romantic spots to watch the sun go down and hearty meals to keep you well-fed and energised during the wild carnival season.

Stick around, we are about to tell you how you can join in on one of the most anticipated events of the year !

This and much more in yet another issue of OhMyMalta! We couldn’t be happier to welcome you home !

Issue 27 • February 2023

Oh My Malta is a B2B publication, published monthly in partnership, with the Malta Tourism Authority. It promotes Malta and Gozo as a destination and treats readers to different aspects of Maltese life, culture, culinary delights and business. Visit www.ohmymalta.com.mt for more information.

Coordinating Editor

Philippa Zammit

Sales Coordinator

Marisa Schembri mschembri@mediatoday.com.mt

Content Writers

Emily Francis

Terrence Mifsud

Tiana Formosa

Design Philippa Zammit

Registered Address

Vjal ir-Riħan San Gwann SGN9016 Malta

Email pzammit@mediatoday.com.mt

Contact Number +356 2138 2741

Cover Photo credit: Tonio Schembri

Restaurants are an integral part of the tourism receptive capacity of a country. Whilst their primary function is to provide sustenance to visiting tourists as well as the resident population, they also serve the additional function of providing an important part of the visitor experience. Let us depart from the mentality that tourists merely visit restaurants to eat and drink, instead they list a destination’s culinary delights at the top of their itinerary.

Like all other components comprising the tourism industry, Maltese restaurants need to adapt constantly to a rapidly changing consumer preference and demand. The modern visitor is willing to dedicate substantial quantities of their time and expenditure in the destination to enjoy this aspect of the travel experience.

Today’s tourists are very well travelled and are very capable of benchmarking what they experience in the destination with their numerous experiences elsewhere. The food experience constitutes a very important aspect of such benchmarking. Visitors to a destination expect to find a wide range of offers ranging from standard international menus to fresh, authentic, local specialities. Most importantly they seek value for money and will not mind spending good money on a restaurant meal if they obtain the value they desire and expect.

Our restaurants also need to adapt to the new tourism flows that we are attracting. Compared to the recent past Malta is today attracting a bigger share of younger, more affluent, shorter-staying visitors from a bigger number of geographical source markets. This means that the range of menus offered in our restaurants needs to evolve at a faster pace to ensure that we are offering what our clients are seeking.

The Malta Tourism Authority works hand in hand with the catering sector to ensure that the continuous development of our tourism industry remains at the forefront. This ranges from infrastructural improvements and higher levels of food handling and hygiene to a more flexible sector which adapts to the changes in the market. The attraction of greater quantities of independent tourists has presented huge opportunities and increased business for the local catering industry and they need to continue striving to induce even more expenditure and activity into their sector.

The Malta Tourism Strategy 2030 places a strong emphasis on sustainability, quality, authenticity and a stronger link with that which makes Malta and Gozo diverse and unique. The gastronomic experience is integral to the reaching of these objectives, and we need to work harder and more creatively towards a gastronomic offer which truly emphasis that which makes us Maltese.

CLAYTON BARTOLO Minister for Tourism