Alex Incorvaja, director of the Malta Tourism Authority for the last six years, is leaving this month to return to the hospitality industry.
Incorvaja is credited with increasing UK arrivals to Malta by 17.5 per cent over the past five years with 2014 figures up 7% on 2013.
He attributed the growth to a growing airline route network coupled with “extremely aggressive” marketing and exposure of Malta to the UK trade.
He said: “The most salient thing since I’ve been at the helm has been the significant growth in passenger numbers to Malta from the UK against the overall outbound UK market which has been rather flat. It shows what a remarkable performance Malta has achieved – especially during challenging times of wars, Arab Springs, credit crunches etc.”
Incorvaja said that reintroducing British Airways flights to the island and securing Jet2 services, which start at the end of this month, were two significant achievements.
He added that showcasing Malta to key decision-makers in the UK travel industry had helped to dispel the misperception that the island is nothing more than a bucket and spade sun and sea destination.
“We hosted Abta’s Travel Convention, and the ITT, Aito and Advantage Travel Partnerships conferences – and believe there was no better way of delivering the message to the trade about what Malta has to offer,” said Incorvaja.
Incorvaja’s last day at the MTA is April 24 and he will take up his new post on May 5. He declined to reveal which company he was joining but it is believed to be back in Malta.
Prior to joining the MTA, Incorvaja was sales and marketing director for the Intercontinental hotel in Malta.