Famtrip Malta

My journey to Malta started together with the other participants at Munich Airport. We flew together with the Maltese airline “KM Malta Airlines” in just two and a half hours to one of the smallest countries in the world.

It was my first flight with the Maltese airline. The seats and legroom were average, and various meals and drinks were available for purchase. What I found especially pleasant: Both flights were punctual, and the service was coordinated, structured, and friendly.

Upon arriving in Malta, we were greeted with a wonderful surprise: sunshine and a pleasant 24°C. A real treat for us, as we were already accustomed to the cold and rainy Munich weather by the end of October.

The airport in Malta is small and the only one on the island. Depending on the season, it is served several times a week to multiple times a day by various German cities. All other major European hubs also offer regular flights to Malta.

From the airport, we headed to the Malta Marriott Resort & Spa, our accommodation for the following three nights on the island. From there, we began our tour of several hotels and locations, including a trip to the island of Gozo, a tour of the capital city Valletta, and a visit to the old capital Mdina.

Program – Culture & Action:

Our program offered a great mix of culture and action. We spent the first day on Gozo. The island, located about 15 minutes by ferry from Malta, is perfect for a day trip. A dip in the wonderfully clear waters of the “Blue Lagoon” off Comino, a stroll through the narrow streets of the Cittadella, or a discovery tour of the salt pans, where we learned about the traditional salt production on the island – there’s something for every taste here.

Things got exciting with some of the transport options the island offers. Instead of the public ferry, participants can be brought to the island by speedboat or a sailing regatta can be arranged for the crossing. Guests can also explore the island off-road with buggies – that feels pretty adventurous. For a more relaxed option, the crossing can be made in traditional Maltese Guletts, and once on the island, guests can be driven through the landscape in colorful tuk-tuks.

The excursion to Valletta the next day was the complete contrast to the relaxed Gozo experience. In the busy streets of the capital, you can immerse yourself in Malta’s cultural history with a city tour or an iPad rally featuring actors, or simply do some shopping.

A special highlight came in the evening with a visit to the old capital Mdina. In the darkness, the narrow, deserted alleys almost feel mystical. For events, this atmosphere can be enhanced even further – for example, with torchbearers and a carriage ride. And the program offers endless possibilities: How about a Popeye Olympics at the film set of the cult movie, a ride in a Rolls Royce, or a workshop where you can create traditional Maltese art?

Meetings & Accommodation:

Malta is currently seeing the development of many new hotels, but the existing ones are already excellent for all types of events:

• Malta Marriott Resort & Spa impressed particularly with its great location, beautiful rooms, a fantastic spa & pool area, and excellent service. It’s a great option for incentives.
• The Intercontinental is the largest meeting hotel on the island. With a total of 480 rooms, 12 restaurant outlets, and 26 meeting rooms (the largest measuring 3,000 square meters), it is certainly the best option for very large groups, even though the rooms are a bit dated. One particularly positive feature is that the hotel has direct connections to the Holiday Inn Express and the newly built Voco Hotel (opening March 2025), so very large groups can be accommodated, and customers with different budgets can be satisfied.
• The Westin was my favorite – a hotel that is a fantastic option for any type of event:
  • 413 large, stylishly decorated rooms
  • 500-square-meter ballroom with LED lighting and its own entrance
  • Almost all meeting rooms have natural daylight
  • An exclusive hotel wing with 66 suites, which can be booked entirely privately
  • Private beach
  • Own dock for ships
  • Several indoor and outdoor restaurant outlets of varying sizes. We enjoyed an exceptional dinner at one of them.

Conclusion: Malta as an Event Destination

Malta definitely stands out as an event destination. Both in terms of meeting locations and hotels, as well as the program, there is something for every taste. What sets Malta apart from other destinations?

• Year-round warm temperatures: Lying on the beach in late October or enjoying an Aperol in the streets of Valletta – it’s an attractive idea for both incentives and meetings. We even swam in the sea, with a pleasant water temperature of 24°C.
• Short distances: On the return flight, it became clear once again – Malta is very small. From the airplane window, you can see the entire island. Distances are never long, transfer times are short – more time for great programs and interesting meetings is definitely a unique selling point.
• Affordable prices: Malta is very affordable compared to other European destinations, and it is, unlike other inexpensive destinations, very easy to reach. With a budget that might be tight in other parts of Western Europe, you can create a fantastic meeting or incentive program here.