The Malta Tourism Authority has recently launched a new initiative geared towards providing real time information to tourists visiting the Maltese islands. Twelve students have been trained and engaged, on behalf of MTA, to perform the role of tourist assistants during the busy Summer months. However their work will go beyond the normal usual duties in an MTA’s Tourist Information Office.

These tourist assistants were organized into six teams and equipped with tablets which were configured with the necessary location maps and places of interest around the Maltese Islands, as well as with information relating to relevant tourist attractions. The Tourist Assistants when approached by tourists will be able to provide them, in an efficient and flexible manner, with all the necessary information, guidance or recommendations, on the spot and also address any possible queries or questions they might have.

Tourist Assistants have also been trained to approach tourists themselves and offer assistance where it is considered necessary. Data requested can aslo be shared in real time directly on any email address provided for reference.

The main purpose of this unique project is to offer detailed and personalised information to tourists roaming within popular touristic landmarks or hotspots in our islands, in order to facilitate their visit and enhance their experience. For the time being, the teams of Tourist Assistants are covering mainly, the Upper Barrakka Gardens and Castille area in Valletta, the area of St John’s Cathedral up to the Grandmaster’s Palace in Valletta, the Sliema Ferries, the Greek’s Gate in Mdina and the areas near the Love Sign and St George’s Bay in St Julian's. It is planned that in the future this project will  be extended to cover other key locations around Malta and Gozo.

Commenting on the implementation of this new Tourist Assistants initiative, MTA CEO Mr Paul Bugeja said, “this is one of the initiatives we are taking in direct support to any tourists who is visiting our Islands. We are combining the personal contact together with technology, always with the intention of providing the best possible service to our customers.”

Mr Bugeja continued by stating that “this initiative is yet another successful first for the Malta Tourism Authority, and so far has been widely well received  by tourists.”