Malta has participated in the Qingdao Asia-Pacific Tourism Expo, which was held at the Qingdao International Convention Centre from 24 to 26 June. The event was organised by the Qingdao Municipal Tourism Administration and the Qingdao International Exhibition & Trade Co. Ltd.

Malta was one of the participants from Europe, along with the UK, Iceland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Greece, the Netherlands and Turkey. Other exhibitors were from the Asia-Pacific region and Kenya, Zimbabwe and Dubai.

Malta’s stand was decorated with images of Air Malta and Valletta and replica statuettes of the Neolithic fat lady, which attracted a lot of attention from the public and travel agents alike.

The stand was manned by Dr Mariella Grech, First Secretary at the Embassy of Malta in Beijing and representatives from Beijing China Express. Beijing China Express, who have recently been appointed agents for Air Malta, are now in a position to make reservations and issue tickets. The nationwide presence of China Express should help to boost tourism and student traffic to Malta.

Brochures, maps of Malta and some DVDs were distributed to members of the public at the fair, as well as to travel agents, and Dr Grech answered questions about Malta from members of the public.