The Malta Tourism Authority has just organised a two-day working meeting in Gozo for its marketing and sales directorate staff, including those who are based in its representative offices in Germany and the UK, as well as the other agencies forming part of the MTA Overseas Network in France, Italy, Benelux, Scandinavia, Russia, Spain and Japan.

The participants were welcomed by MTA executive chairman Romwald Lungaro-Mifsud and marketing and sales director Jeffrey Cutajar who gave an overview of the current situation of the tourism industry both local and abroad, as well as a research-based view of the targets being set by the authority.

Those attending were also given a presentation on Malta’s performance during the first quarter of this year, as well as forecasts for the second quarter and summer of 2006, by MTA’s head of research and business Leslie Vella.

In another session, the chairman updated the participants on the progress on the Branding exercise, thus ensuring that the MTA’s marketing and sales people are tuned in constantly to the core thought process being adopted in the branding process for Malta.

One of the most important sessions held was the one when the head office staff were divided according to the seven marketing segments of leisure, history and culture, meetings incentives conferences and events, English as a foreign language, sport tourism, Gozo-based holidays and growth and other markets. The overseas representatives were involved in animated discussions in each of the segment working group on a rotational basis.

The following day, the overseas network representatives gave a presentation on the market situation in the country or region in which they work, giving clear insights into the prospects and trends for each country.

The final session was addressed by Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech.