A wellness retreat for travel sales staff who have been on the front line in the fight to keep travel alive during the pandemic is being offered by the Malta Tourism Authority.
The hybrid initiative has been put in place with wellbeing social enterprise Talent Courtyard on October 11, 24 hours after World Mental Health Day.
The in-person event will be free of charge, taking place in St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace in London and will be livestreamed to online participants.
The sights and sounds of Malta will feature, combining relaxation techniques with positive thinking and creative expression, according to the MTA.
Tourism authority trade trainer Peter Green said: “The ongoing pressure that the travel industry continues to face as a result of pandemic uncertainties has not only been difficult but pivotal in the awakening of mental health and wellbeing concerns.
“As a conscious destination, Malta recognises the impact of one’s surroundings and the importance that escapism to places like Malta, Gozo and Comino offers people a space to pause and reconnect with their surroundings and selves.
“This is why we are honoured to join Talent Courtyard in its efforts to combat the increase in poor mental health and wellbeing among UK travel sales professionals.
“We are delighted to share the serenity that Malta’s healing landscapes provide virtually, and whet the appetites of those who take part as we want to welcome them back to explore our shores very soon.”
Talent Courtyard founder and director Andrea Meszaros added:“As World Mental Health Day takes place on 10 October, it is essential to stop for a moment and reflect on the past couple of years.
“During this period, we’ve seen an increase in travel professionals struggling with their mental health and looking for ways to improve their wellbeing, to cope with the uncertainty that has surrounded the industry.
“We have designed an immersive wellness retreat experience that includes creative, de-stressing, interactive workshops to bring the holiday feeling from a destination through our wellbeing programmes into London and participants’ homes.
“We are absolutely delighted to build on our partnership with the Malta Tourism Authority with whom we launched the UK’s first virtual retreat during lockdown last year.”