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Recognising Excellence
2nd Edition of the Malta Tourism Awards
The Malta Tourism Awards represent a flagship initiative in corporate tourism excellence, providing an opportunity to showcase and honour outstanding local tourism service providers. These Awards aim to promote, encourage, and reward high-quality service within the industry.
They also enhance Malta’s visibility as a leading tourism destination and serve as a platform to promote leadership within the local tourism sector, while offering greater exposure to its diverse career opportunities.
Ultimately, the Awards act as a catalyst for innovation, driving sustainable and responsible growth, and revitalisation across the tourism value chain.
Category A : Responsible Tourism Development Award
The Responsible Tourism Development Award has been established to recognise the leading stakeholders that offer an outstanding tourism product through significant investment to assure a resilient future for the local tourism industry. The Malta Tourism Authority encourages responsible investment initiatives which address key objectives as per the National Tourism Strategy 2021-2030: Digitalisation; HR Training and Upskilling; and Decarbonisation.
Nominations can be submitted by an eligible business or company in one of the following categories:
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Responsible Tourism Development: Best English Language Learning
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Responsible Tourism Development: Best Diving Centre
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Responsible Tourism Development: Best Domestic Transport (including Land and Sea)
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Responsible Tourism Development: Best Visitor Attraction
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Responsible Tourism Development: Best Travel and Tourism
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Responsible Tourism Development: Best Catering Establishment
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Responsible Tourism Development: Best Accommodation (<75 bedrooms)
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Responsible Tourism Development: Best Accommodation (>75 bedrooms)
Submissions must satisfy a minimum of one of the following criteria:
(N.B. Click on each criterion to view more details)
Furthermore, evaluation in this year’s edition of the Awards shall also cover the Digital Presence of eligible businesses who submit nominations under the category of the Responsible Tourism Development Award. More information can be accessed here.
To submit your entry in the Responsible Tourism Development Award, please use the Nomination Form that can be accessed here.
Submissions for the Responsible Tourism Development Award must be related to an investment that has been carried out by an eligible business or company during the year 2025. For this Award the applicant must indicate whether the nomination represents its own establishment, or whether it is submitted on behalf of a consortium or group of companies. Any involved party needs to be an eligible business or company.
Category B : Tourism Worker of the Year Award
The Tourism Worker of the Year Award recognises Workers who offer an outstanding service in one of various core sectors within the Tourism Industry. The nominations are based on the workers’ outstanding performance which goes beyond the required call of duty at their place of work. The nominated worker must work in an eligible business or company and must have exhibited the relevant attributes during the year 2025.
Nominations can be submitted by an eligible business or company in one of the following categories:
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Tourism Worker of the Year: English Language Learning (Schools / Host Families)
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Tourism Worker of the Year: Diving Centre
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Tourism Worker of the Year: Domestic Transport (including Land and Sea)
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Tourism Worker of the Year: Visitor Attraction
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Tourism Worker of the Year: Travel and Tourism Services (Incoming Travel Agencies, Destination
Management Companies and Excursion Organisers) -
Tourism Worker of the Year: Tourist Guides
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Tourism Worker of the Year: Catering
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Tourism Worker of the Year: Accommodation (<75 bedrooms)
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Tourism Worker of the Year: Accommodation (>75 bedrooms)
Criteria
Submissions that satisfy multiple criteria from the following list, will receive a higher ranking:
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The employee has shown exemplary performance in daily operations in 2025;
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The employee has exhibited exceptional customer service skills, going above and beyond to ensure positive experiences for tourists and visitors in 2025;
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The employee has demonstrated leadership, creativity and teamwork in 2025;
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The worker carried out commendable actions, going beyond the call of duty both within the workplace and through external contributions such as participation in CSR programmes, voluntary work with registered NGOs, or other notable initiatives in 2025.
To submit your entry for the Tourism Worker of the Year Award, please use the Nomination Form that can be found here.
Submission for the Tourism Worker of the Year Award must be related to a worker’s performance carried out during the year 2025 working in an eligible business or company. This nomination needs to be submitted by the management of the business or company within which the nominee works. A business or company is only allowed to nominate one worker to represent its licensed operation. For micro-businesses, often run single-handedly or by a couple of individuals, owners are allowed to nominate themselves for the Tourism Worker of the Year Award.
Category C : Special Theme Recognition
In an effort to spotlight Malta's diverse sectors, a new Special Theme Recognition is being introduced to celebrate Malta’s unique sectors/niches. This aims to recognise outstanding contributions that promote Malta through niche yet significant themes. The themes for the upcoming editions include LGBTIQ+ Tourism, Faith and Religious Tourism, Screen Tourism.
These annual themes are designed to encourage creative, emerging initiatives that reflect Malta’s rich and multifaceted identity. A three-year thematic plan will be unveiled to inspire strategic participation, foster innovation, and ensure fresh and varied content across award editions.
The first Recognition, linked to LGBTIQ+ Tourism initiatives undertaken in the past three years (2023,2024 & 2025), will be presented in the upcoming Award Ceremony—setting the stage for a new tradition of celebrating Malta through unique lenses.
Nomination Deadline:
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LGBTIQ+ Tourism 31st January 2026
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Faith and Religious Tourism 31st January 2027
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Screen Tourism 31st January 2028
To submit your entry for the Special Theme Recognition please use the Nomination Form that can be found here.
The winners of the categories will be announced during an award ceremony scheduled for April 2026. Each winner will receive a trophy in recognition of their achievement. Showcasing the Malta Tourism Awards serves as a prestigious mark of excellence, highlighting their commitment to exceptional quality service and enhancing their reputation within the tourism sector.
CONTACT
For further details kindly contact:
Suzanne Brincat Dimech Philippa Licari
Head of Unit Executive industry HR
EU Matters/Funding & Industry HR
MALTA TOURISM AUTHORITY
tourismawards@mtobservatory.org
+356 2291 5728/5233