Leslie Vella, Chief Officer Strategic Development & Deputy CEO of the Malta Tourism Authority, was elected Vice President of the European Travel Commission. The election took place during the ETC General Meeting held in Cyprus earlier this month. Mr Vella obtained votes from 19 out of 23 member countries present and was elected to the post for a three-year term.

The European Travel Commission (ETC) is the non-profit organisation responsible for the promotion of Europe as a tourist destination. The member National Tourism Organisations within ETC work together to build the value of tourism to all the beautiful and diverse countries of Europe through, in particular, cooperating in areas of sharing best practices, market intelligence and promotion.

ETC has three Vice Presidents, each of whom is responsible for an area of competence or advocacy. Mr Vella has taken on the Connectivity advocacy, and is tasked with finding ways of improving airline connections to Europe from long haul markets such as the Americas, Asia and Australia. 

MTA CEO Mr Paul Bugeja commented “We congratulate Leslie on his appointment within ETC, which is a testimony to the high regard that he enjoys in this prestigious organisation. We wish him continued success and we are certain that both MTA and Malta have much to gain from his new post, particularly since he will be focusing on connectivity which is fundamentally important for Malta as a destination. ”

Mr Vella has been representing Malta at the ETC for over 20 years and served as Chairman of the Commission’s Market Intelligence Group between 1997 and 2014.