Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo has announced the launch of the Malta Tourism Observatory.

During a press conference, CEO of the Malta Tourism Authority MTA Carlo Micallef stated that "the Observatory shall be the medium through which the delivery and progress of the Malta tourism strategy will take place." Micallef argued that the Observatory "will be a small but very important development in the execution of the rethinking and revitalisation objectives of the national tourism strategy, in the belief that it will contribute, strongly, towards the transition to a more sustainable, quality-driven approach to tourism management and development in the Maltese islands."

Deputy CEO of the MTA Leslie Vella indicated that the Observatory "gives an extensive view ... which is the core concept behind what we are launching today." Vella also remarked that the Observatory will be manned by two persons, directed by a management board.

Minister Bartolo said that this Observatory will work in synergy with stakeholders responsible for the tourism sector. Further, this Observatory can also be called a "watchdog that safeguards the implementation of the Malta tourism strategy ... a strategy of 125 different points," the minister continued.

The Malta Tourism Observatory shall be responsible for a range of activities dealing with the development of tourism in the Maltese Islands. It shall align itself with the work and practices of other established Tourism Observatories worldwide, and shall also be charged with the execution, monitoring, updating, and communicating of progress concerning the Malta Tourism Strategy to 2030.

The Malta Tourism Observatory shall be administered by a "Management Board" consisting of the Chair, the Managing Director, the Members, and the Board Secretary. Also, a number of "Advisory Groups" shall be set up by the Malta Tourism Observatory to focus on specific areas, appointed from relevant Government entities, institutions, organisations, and NGOs.