Malta Tourism Authority Opens New North American Office in New York

Ian Borg, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, officially opened the Malta Tourism Authority’s (MTA) North America office on Friday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony in New York City.

The office will operate from Malta’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Manhattan and positions Malta more prominently within the U.S. travel market.

The event brought together Malta’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Natasha Meli-Daudey, Malta’s Ambassador to the United States, Godfrey Xuereb, along with leading tourism figures and industry partners.

Ian Borg was accompanied by MTA CEO Carlo Micallef, North America Representative Michelle Buttigieg, Marketing Director Arthur Grima, and Marketing Manager Yasmine Scorfna.

In his speech, Borg underlined the significance of the American market, referring to it as a vital benchmark for global tourism destinations.

He noted that Malta’s continued investment has already delivered tangible results, such as the launch of direct flights between New York and Malta, along with the U.S. debut of Hidden Malta, a documentary by Emmy Award-winner Peter Greenberg.

Carlo Micallef, MTA CEO, highlighted Michelle Buttigieg’s pivotal role in establishing Malta’s reputation across North America over the past decade, particularly through collaborations with USTOA and Virtuoso.

Buttigieg stated that, “the work by MTA in recent years has extended not only throughout New York but across North America, involving close collaboration with the tourism sector and creating greater visibility for Malta.”

She continued by describing the new office as a symbolic and practical “bridge” between Malta and the region, expanding visibility and cooperation.

The MTA reaffirmed that its strategy is focused on attracting visitors who bring greater economic value, while ensuring tourism growth remains respectful of Malta’s culture and sustainable for the future.

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Photo Credit: MFT