Michelle Buttigieg, North America Representative for VisitMalta, was honored with the Destination Leader of the Year Award at Global Traveler’s 14th Annual Lifestyle Awards Gala, held April 20 at the InterContinental Miami. The recognition highlights her leadership in strengthening connections between North American travelers and the Maltese Islands.
Francis X. Gallagher, CEO and Publisher of Global Traveler, presented Buttigieg with the award, noting her longstanding role in elevating Malta’s visibility in the US market. “Michelle Buttigieg has been an unwavering spokesperson for Malta and all its history, culture, and openness to all travelers,” said Gallagher. “She has educated the American market on the destination’s offerings and helped travelers realize that Malta belongs on their list of places to visit.”
Under Buttigieg’s leadership, arrivals from the United States and Canada have more than quadrupled since she was appointed Representative for the Malta Tourism Office in 2014. This has strengthened Malta’s position as one of the fastest-growing Mediterranean destinations for North American travelers.
“Accepting this Destination Leader is incredibly meaningful and reflects what has been a truly rewarding journey over the past 12 years since we established our VisitMalta’s North American representation,” said Michelle Buttigieg. “There was a time when the question was, ‘Where is Malta?’—today, it’s ‘When is the best time to visit?’ “That evolution is a testament to the tremendous support of the travel advisor community and our industry partners, as well as Malta’s expanding luxury offerings and authentic, curated experiences that invite travelers to explore beyond the expected.”
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VisitMalta was also recognized with the Outstanding Social Responsibility Awardreflecting its continued commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+ residents and visitors. Buttigieg noted, “Malta’s commitment to cultivating a safe and inclusive environment has placed the island #1 on ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Map for ten consecutive years. Malta has also become a popular wedding & honeymoon destination for the American LGBTQIA+ travel market. The destination’s leadership in this space is supported by a range of initiatives, including protections for gender identity and the hosting of annual Pride celebrations in Valletta.