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oliday-makers have long flocked to the island of Malta and its smaller sibling Gozo for year-round balmy weather, red-sand beaches and the crystalline


waters of its star attraction, the Blue Lagoon. Easily explored on foot, its Baroque capital, Valletta, is charming at every turn: a stroll here can take in cobbled alleyways, a gilded cathedral and cinematic sunsets over the Grand Harbour. Tere’s much to experience beyond its impressive Renzo Piano-designed city gate: head west for golden crescents of unspoilt sands, east to the history-laden Tree Cities, or south to Megalithic temples and the windswept cliffs of Dingli. Tanks to a strategic position easily reached


from most European capitals, a fascinating cultural heritage and impressive ongoing investment into conferencing infrastructure, Malta has earned its stripes as a destination of choice for event coordinators, too. Tis month, 12,500 delegates from more than 80 countries will convene on the island for the sixth edition of the iGaming conference SiGMA. It’s just one of many corporate events scheduled this year for industries as diverse as aviation, medical cannabis and blockchain. When it comes to welcoming visitors, the


country’s sunny disposition is an undeniable asset. “With 300 days of sunshine a year, Malta is a year-round destination,” says Karen Abela of the Malta Tourism Authority. “Te Maltese are very accommodating. We all speak English, as well as other languages, which makes communication extremely easy.” Tere is, she highlights, a push to make the most of the country’s architectural legacy, particularly in Valletta. Once abandoned, grand mansions and centuries-old buildings are being sensitively restored as stylish boutique hotels, much to the delight of discerning travellers. A number of Malta’s atmospheric churches, museums, public gardens and town squares can be privatised for events, too. Housed in the former hospital of the Knights of St John, the Mediterranean Conference Centre – the country’s flagship venue, set to showcase an ➜


Right: Malta’s capital, Valletta 10 | NOVEMBER 2019


ZOLTANGABOR/ISTOCK


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