Christophe Berger, newly appointed director of conventions Malta, brings with him extensive experience in the hospitality and M.I.C.E. market sectors. Born in France, Berger moved to Malta 20 years ago, where he has been working in various sectors of the hospitality and tourism industry. His professional background stems from hotel management and, in Malta, he’s held positions at the Grand Hotel Mercure Selmun Palace and at Intercontinental Malta as part of the M.I.C.E team, with responsibilities for overseas marketing the hotel and Malta as a destination. Berger also furthered his M.I.C.E experience while specializing in M.I.C.E. on behalf of a Maltese destination management company (DMC).
As Malta’s tourism has been on a tremendous growth path, especially from the North American market, it is also gaining considerable momentum as a popular M.I.C.E. market destination. According to Berger, “Malta’s tourism industry has enjoyed great success in recent years, and Malta is now striving to boost this success even further by expanding the international appeal of its incomparable M.I.C.E. product, with spectacular settings at competitive prices.”
Malta, with its 7,000 years of history and steeped in historic event venues, is a M.I.C.E. planner’s paradise. This Mediterranean archipelago offers a diverse number of magnificent castles, palazzos and forts to choose from. Other unique settings include theme parks, village squares, luxury yachts and exclusive sea-front facilities. Malta’s multitude of conference hotels or venues can accommodate any size event. This includes the iconic 16th century building, once considered the most advanced hospital in Europe, which is now the state-of-the-art Mediterranean Conference Center.
Berger noted that what adds to the “wow” factor for the M.I.C.E market, and tourism in general, is that “Malta has become one of Europe’s most popular film and television locations – dubbed “the Mediterranean’s mini-Hollywood” by the London Times. Malta, where Game of Thrones all began, is also home to many blockbuster film locations including Troy, Gladiator, World War Z, Assassin’s Creed, The Count of Monte Cristo and Murder on the Orient Express.
Berger, together with Michelle Buttigieg, Malta tourism authority representative in North America, will be heading a public/private sector M.I.C.E. delegation from Malta to IMEX Las Vegas, September 9-12.
The sunny islands of Malta, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, are home to a most remarkable concentration of intact built heritage, including the highest density of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in any nation-state anywhere. Valletta built by the proud Knights of St. John is one of the UNESCO sites and was the European Capital of Culture for 2018. Malta’s patrimony in stone ranges from the oldest free-standing stone architecture in the world, to one of the British Empire’s most formidable defensive systems, and includes a rich mix of domestic, religious and military architecture from the ancient, medieval and early modern periods. With superbly sunny weather, attractive beaches, a thriving nightlife and 7,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do. For more info, visit www.visitmalta.com; for more info about planning meetings and incentive events in Malta visit www.conventionsmalta.com
