Agreement Between ITS And China’s Zhengzhou Tourism College Signed

A cooperation agreement has been signed between the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) and China's Zhengzhou Tourism College (ZTC), paving the way for the establishment of the Central Plains International Cultural Exchange Centre at the ITS campus in Malta.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Minister for Tourism Jo Etienne Abela, Chinese Ambassador to Malta Zhang Zuo, and a delegation from Zhengzhou Tourism College led by its President, Xiao Shicai.

The initiative aims to strengthen educational and cultural ties between Malta and China while creating new opportunities for students and educators to gain international experience and broaden their understanding of different cultures, traditions and heritage.

The new centre will serve as a platform for tourism education, cultural exchanges, skills development and collaborative learning.

Through this partnership, Malta and China will continue using tourism, education and culture as tools to promote exchange, mutual understanding and cooperation, while expanding opportunities for students and professionals from both countries.

Addressing the signing ceremony, Minister Jo Etienne Abela said the initiative represents more than an agreement between two educational institutions, describing it as an investment in the relationship between Malta and China and in the opportunities it will create for young people. He said that by combining tourism education with culture, heritage and international experiences, students will be able to develop new skills and gain a broader global perspective while strengthening mutual understanding between the two countries.

"When we invest in education, culture and tourism, we are investing in Malta's future and in the international relationships we want to build. This collaboration with Zhengzhou creates a new bridge between Malta and China, a bridge of knowledge, opportunity and exchange that will better prepare our students to take their place in an increasingly international tourism industry. We want Malta to be a country that not only welcomes the world but also leads, teaches and builds connections across it," Minister Abela said.

ITS Chief Executive Officer Pierre Fenech said the agreement builds on the strong and successful partnership already established between ITS and ZTC. He explained that it will create new opportunities for student and staff exchanges, international learning and cultural collaboration. Through the Central Plains International Cultural Exchange Centre, he said ITS looks forward to strengthening ties with Zhengzhou while giving students a deeper understanding of tourism, culture and heritage beyond the classroom.

#MaltaDaily