Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1056422
17 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 28 NOVEMBER 2018 COMMERCIAL CONVENTIONS Malta, the MICE sector Directorate of the Malta Tourism Authority par- ticipated with a Malta stand at the IMEX America fair, which was recently held in Las Vegas. Attendance at specialised in- ternational fairs such as this one is a vital part of the MTA's strategy to entice business to Malta. The Authority continu- ously strives to continue its diversification strategy and at- tract visitors from outside Eu- rope. In fact, the MTA's Chief Marketing Officer, Carlo Mi- callef, commented that tourism in Malta is slowly but steadily reaping benefits of this strat- egy, as more visitors, includ- ing meetings, conference and incentive groups from North America and Canada primarily as well as countries such as Ko- rea, Japan, and China are visit- ing the Maltese Islands. Whilst the MTA's MICE (meetings, incentives, confer- ences and events) Segment had participated back in the 2011 edition of IMEX, this year was the first time for Conventions Malta as a brand. There were a number of local co-exhibi- tors sharing the stand with the MTA, namely, Alpine Sterling DMC, ECMeetings, Grand Ho- tel Excelsior - Malta, Hilton Malta, InterContinental Malta, Mediterranean Conference Centre, Radisson Blu Resort St. Julian's, Special Interest Travel and the Westin Dragonara Re- sort. Michelle Buttigieg, the MTA representative in America said that being present at a fair like this allows potential visitors to discuss the Islands and learn what they have to offer directly with various stakeholders pre- sent. Gavin Gulia, the Executive Chairman of the MTA, con- tinued on this point by noting that in 2017, the Maltese Is- lands saw an increase of 35.17% of arrivals from America when compared to 2016. This in- creased interest has continued in 2018, with the latest NSO statistics showing that in the period January to September 2018, Malta and Gozo had a 29.2% increase in visitors from America, when compared with the same period last year. Gulia concluded by thanking all the staff in Malta as well as repre- sentatives in America as with- out their incessant work, these fantastic results would not be a possibility. Conventions Malta attends IMEX America for the first time TRANSPORT Malta will ex- press its support for the Si- mon Blue Light Foundation by auctioning an autographed Brazil football kit. During this year's edition of the World Cup, Brazil's na- tional football team flew on a Malta-registered aircraft, op- erated by Air X Malta. Trans- port Malta asked for and acquired the team's kit, auto- graphed by all the players, a kit which the Authority chose to auction for the benefit of the Blue Light Foundation. The Authority has an en- forcement section that oper- ates on our roads and thus is fully aware of the reason and the importance of the goals of this foundation. The Enforce- ment section within Trans- port Malta boasts around one hundred officials, who face numerous dangers while per- forming their duties and thus, through this symbolic gesture, Transport Malta is helping this foundation achieve its aims. The auction will form part of the activities organised by the Foundation on Sunday 2nd December. The Foundation will be organising a bike ride which will depart from the Police Headquarters in Flori- ana at 9am to reach its desti- nation in Montecristo. Transport Malta's Enforce- ment Section, particularly its riders, will participate in the event while a number will as- sist the Police to manage traf- fic during the activity. In the meantime, at Monte- cristo there will be a number of family activities, including food stalls, various attractions and entertainment. The public will be able to view the autographed Brazil National Team Shirt before the auction, between 10 and 11 in the morning, in Monte- cristo. The auction, led by the auc- tioneer Pierre Grech Pillow for Obelisk, will start at 11.30 in the morning. All proceeds will be passed on to the Simon Schembri Blue Light Founda- tion. The Simon Schembri Blue Light Foundation is a non- profit organisation that helps officials who are the first to arrive on the scene of an ac- cident, like police officers, members of the Armed Forces of Malta, Civil Protection De- partment, Corradino Correc- tional Facility and Emergency Ambulance Staff. The foundation provides moral and financial help for these officials and their fami- lies, should they get hurt while on duty. Transport Malta supports the goal of this foundation and encourages the public to participate in both the bike ride and the auction. TM auctions autographed Brazil football kit for charity TOYOTA Malta and the Min- istry for Education and Employ- ment joined forces to create a fun and educational animation "A Hybrid Adventure" to help engage and educate students about the benefits of hybrid technology and their impor- tance to the environment. The event took place at St Ig- natius College Handaq Middle School in Qormi where repre- sentatives from the Ministry and Toyota Executives were present. Nathalie Gatt, Director of Employee and Customer Ex- perience from Michael Debono Limited, Toyota commented that "together with the Minis- try for Education and Employ- ment, we are committed to ad- vancing our hybrid technology in Malta and provide a cleaner, safer environment for our chil- dren. This is about inspiring new generations and helping them realise their potential in their studies.' The response to the anima- tion was positive with many of the children asking many questions about the difference between hybrid car technology and conventional engines. Both Toyota Malta and the Ministry are confident that the animation and subsequent drive to educate children will be successful as together we all build a better future for every- one. Toyota Malta and education ministry in joint effort to promote eco-friendly technology to Maltese students