Malta Will Host USTOA Spring Board Meeting Abroad
WHY GIVE: This USTOA event hosted in Malta is scheduled to take place in May 2022. —Codie Liermann, Senior Editor
At a luncheon held at the USTOA 2021 Annual Conference & Marketplace on December 7 in San Diego, California, it was announced that Malta, originally chosen as the host destination for the annual Overseas Board Meeting The pre-Covid Association of US Tour Operators (USTOA) will host the now rescheduled meeting for May 2022 at the Corinthia Palace Hotel. Turkish Airlines will be the official air carrier of the USTOA Malta Board Meeting and will provide flights to Malta for all USTOA attendees. The Turkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) will host a two-day tour of Istanbul upon its return from Malta as part of the USTOA Board Meeting’s program of events. .
Terry Dale, President and CEO, USTOA, introduced the dinner hosts, Michelle Buttigieg, Representative of the Malta Tourism Authority, Ceylan Sensoy, Representative, Turkiye and Alp Ozaman Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, Turkish Airlines. The Malta / Turkey delegation hosting the meal also included members of the Malta / Turkey delegations, including DMCs and hotels.
“The members of the USTOA tour operators, along with the media, have widely acknowledged that Malta is definitely a country to be seen and heard from and for that reason we wanted to keep our commitment. to Malta to reschedule the meeting as the first post-covid meeting of the country’s Board, especially as the destination has acted so responsibly to restrict entry to vaccinated travelers only, ”he said. Terry Dale, President and CEO of USTOA.
Dale added, “Malta’s continued proactive messages, even during the pandemic, in the North American market are making a big difference in the minds of tour operators as well as consumers. The Overseas Board Meeting in Malta will provide all tour operators with an opportunity to experience, safely, directly because this hidden gem of the Mediterranean, will once again be a trend. in the US and Canadian travel market. “
Michelle Buttigieg said, “The significance of hosting the first meeting of the USTOA Board after the covid abroad is especially important for Malta as it will reinforce the fact that Malta is as safe as possible. at this time, in addition to achieving the immunity of the herd, proof of vaccination is required from all tied travelers. “
Buttigieg added, “Since the MTA rejoined the USTOA seven years ago, the number of USTOA tour operators who have added Malta to their itineraries and those who are expanding their tourism product in Malta has grown. from five to more than 30 in 2019. Hosting the USTOA Out The Country Board Meeting will provide a great opportunity for Board members to experience for themselves because their clients can travel to Malta with confidence as well as have a memorable experience. ”
Commenting on Turkey’s membership of Malta for this USTOA event, Ceylan Sensoy commented “As a newly established tourism board and a member of Turkiye, TGA is pleased to invite Board Members of USTOA in Istanbul, a city that stands as a bridge between Eastern and Western cultures that embraces visitors from all over the world. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have launched one of the first nationwide Safe Tourism Certification programs in the world where we have partnered with international certification companies to develop our own uniform set of measures for tourism establishments. As the best city in Europe, Istanbul is ready to offer USTOA a perfect blend of culture, history, delicious food, incredible scenery and hospitality. ”
Alp Ozaman, Regional Marketing Manager, New York, Turkish Airlines said, “We are excited to sponsor this top meeting in the tourism industry and provide the members of the USTOA Board who are traveling to Malta and -Turkey, with an opportunity to experience live. Turk Airlines award – winning service and hospitality. ”
SOURCE: Malta press release.
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