Magical Malta - the wildcard that doesn’t disappoint

Compact, hospitable and exotic – it’s no wonder that Malta is proving a popular destination for incentives and events alike.

It's a place that exudes positive vibes: Malta has occupied the number one spot on the Rainbow Europe Map, used to illustrate the legal and policy situation of LGBTQI+ people in Europe, for example, with a score of 92 per cent for the seventh year running.

“Sitting in the middle of the Mediterranean, reachable within just over a three-hour flight from London and having English as an official language, the Maltese Islands are the most convenient MICE destination for UK planners,” says Christophe Berger, director of VisitMalta Incentives & Meetings.

“We happily offer our support and guidance for planners, and together with our professional network of suppliers, we’ll make sure the planning process is a smooth one for any meeting and incentive trip taking place here.”

Where to meet

The beautiful Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta, a UNESCO world heritage site, epitomises the Maltese blend of elegance with ease; check out the La Valette Hall, ideal for a splendid banquet for 900, while the imposing Republic Hall has capacity for 1,400. For bigger conventions, both the Hilton Malta Conference Centre and the InterContinental Arena Conference Centre offer a wealth of well-equipped indoor spaces: the latter can accommodate 17,000 delegates.

The stunning Westin Dragonara Resort, home to 405 guestrooms plus meeting rooms including a ballroom suitable for 600 theatre-style, was used for an incentive for 180 attendees in May 2022.

Steve Catling, director of Hippo Events, praised the recently refurbished hotel for "its stunning location, luxury feel and impressive facilities" - a special bonus was the pier, which provided easy access for sailing.

"We proposed Malta as a wildcard option, as the client was initially looking at South of France, Italy and Spain. When presenting the destination, they loved the sense of history and culture the island brings, along with the range of activities that are available on land, sea and air, and the fact that a lot of their attendees wouldn’t have visited the country already, giving them a new memorable experience," he says. "The great thing about Malta is that because it’s a small island the transport times between locations are minimal, meaning no long journeys for the attendees. You can do and see a lot in a short space of time - visit places like Mdina, Sliema and Valletta – they all offer something different - and try to see the country from the sea as well as land, the views are unforgettable. I can’t wait to bring another group back there again."

Where to stay

St Julian's, a coastal town with great nightlife, is the epicentre of much of the conference activity with a number of central hotels offering idyllic sea views. Or for high-end luxe, the islands are home to 15 five-star hotels: the options at Qawra, a charming resort in north-east Malta, Bugibba, and Mellieha - home to the chic Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Malta Golden Sands featuring 144 rooms and 164 suites - are all worth investigating.

Katie Jago, events project manager at CI Group, used the Malta Marriott Hotel & Spa in St Julian’s for an incentive for 22 people in September, and rates Malta as a "great destination in Europe with high chance of sunshine and value for money". The hotel recently underwent an extensive €35m renovation programme and boasts spectacular sea views as well as a conference centre with capacity for 650.

She adds: "Malta had a great combination of a cultural experience and also good food and drink with a party element. A mixture of city and beach: it really caters for everything in such a small space." Her only note of caution? Flights get booked up quickly over summer so it's worth planning well in advance for group bookings.

What to do

Five Michelin stars, four Bib Gourmands and 21 recommended restaurants mean there is plenty of choice when it comes to eating out. The Michelin-starred BAHIA, inside the Corinthia Palace Malta, a 10-minute drive from the multi-purpose Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre, has capacity for 82 and can be hired for groups: the hotel, which is set for a full revamp in 2024, also boasts a magnificent spa that’s ideal for incentives. Or fans of architecture will enjoy a trip to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta' Pinu, built in an isolated site in the island of Gozo.

What’s new

The Villa in St Julian’s, a beautiful 19th-century palazzo with elegant terraces and gardens, is under new management and now home to two restaurants: the more relaxed OKA’s or fine dining venue ROSAMÍ. Both can be hired privately: Rosami for an intimate dinner for 50 people, while OKA's can accommodate 150 standing and 80 seated.