Travel education is still lacking. To help address this issue, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion has embarked on an educational campaign, which includes the recently launched Malta Travel Point mobile application as a guidance tool for Maltese travellers in case of distress.

Speaking during an informal meeting with local travel agents on "intelligent travel" at the ministry, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion Carmelo Abela highlighted the fact that mobility of Maltese citizens of all ages has increased significantly and instead of travelling to traditional destinations like the UK, Italy or France, people are opting to discover new exotic places. "While this is undoubtedly a positive development, we need to ensure that Maltese travellers enjoy their holidays or business trips and are aware of what they need to do if they find themselves in difficulty."

Minister Abela highlighted the fact that the Malta Travel Point free mobile application includes contact information of embassies and consulates abroad and regularly updated travel advice with respect to almost all the countries in the world.

Other features include an emergency section that helps you identify what to do in case of difficulty. This app even identifies places where there is a hospital and a police station in case Maltese citizens need this help.

During this briefing session travel agents were invited to be partners with the Ministry in raising awareness on what travellers should do before they book their flights. This information was outlined through a presentation carried out by Consular director John Buttigieg.

The director for Consular Services said that in the near future this app will develop further so that the consulate would know who the people abroad are by registering in this application. The details will be deleted as soon as the person returns to Malta.