“Thanks to tourism, millions of people from different cultures are being brought together around the world like never before. This interaction between people of different backgrounds and ways of life represents an enormous opportunity to advance tolerance, respect, and mutual understanding” − UNWTO Secretary General, Taleb Rifai

Hosting guests from around the world, and operating with personnel from 23 different countries, the Grand Hotel Excelsior believes in finding unity in diversity.

To celebrate World Tourism Day last week, the hotel’s lobby was transformed into a little global community embracing music, food, drinks and art from around the world.

The group of participants who took part included Simon Green from Mediterranean Ceramics, who worked live on a bust of Jules Verne, Clayton Micallef, who also worked live on a contemporary painting, Sue Bencini, who presented her collection of handmade jewellery using semi-precious stones from around the world, and Dame Françoise Tempra, who exhibited paintings and lithographs from 20 different countries from her own private collection.

Various embassies also participated by providing various information about their countries as well as artefacts from their native countries.

The hotel’s Harbour View Bar served traditional cocktails from around the globe, while Le Grand Spa featured special packages on treatments created in different cultures.

In the evening, an international buffet was served at the Admiral’s Landing with cuisines from Latin America, Asia, Middle East and the Mediterranean. Diners were treated to a magnificent live performance by local band Adrian (Ir-Russu) and friends.

Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism Mario de Marco, who visited the hotel on the day, thanked the hotel’s management and team for their commitment to tourism and for having been so inspired by World Tourism Day.