Malta Tourism In North America Gets A Boost With New Mta Office And Delta’s Jfk–malta Nonstop

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – Malta Tourism in North America receives a timely and strategic boost as the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) opens a new representative office in New York City, just as Delta Air Lines announces the launch of its first-ever nonstop flight from New York JFK to Malta, starting in Summer 2026.

The announcement coincides with an official visit led by the Hon. Dr. Ian Borg, Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is joined in New York by Carlo Micallef, CEO of the Malta Tourism Authority, and other senior stakeholders. On Friday, September 19, the new MTA office will be inaugurated at Malta’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, 244 East 48th Street, NYC.

“This is a landmark development for the Maltese Islands and the long-standing ties between Malta and the U.S.,” said Dr. Ian Borg. “It strengthens our tourism potential in the North American market to attract discerning tourists who can truly appreciate Malta’s unique and authentic travel experiences. It also empowers more social, cultural, and economic collaborations between our nations.”

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The expansion of Malta Tourism in North America goes beyond infrastructure. On Thursday, September 18, the MTA delegation will host a private screening of Peter Greenberg’s new PBS special, Hidden Malta, at the Whitby Hotel in Manhattan. The documentary-style feature is expected to significantly raise awareness of Malta’s tourism offering among American audiences.

“Delta’s timely announcement is a gamechanger for Malta Tourism promotion in North America,” said MTA CEO Carlo Micallef. “When restarting the Malta Tourism Authority presence here 11 years ago, with  Michelle Buttigieg as the MTA Representative North America, Malta was known as the ‘Hidden Gem of the Mediterranean’. Now, especially with this first non-stop flight, it is no longer hidden to the American travel market. The interest and demand for Malta, especially from the high end luxury traveler, as well as the young independent traveler, has grown enormously. Now Delta’s direct flight, together with the opening of the MTA office in NYC, will offer Malta new opportunities to expand our promotions in this market.” 

Ms. Buttigieg noted, “Now that MTA will have a real “VISITMALTA” space, we will be able to expand our support for our travel industry partners. We will also be able to welcome potential travelers themselves and provide them with specific information tailored to their interests, as well as host Maltese themed events.” 

Among the key attendees at the events are H.E. Godfrey Xuereb, Malta’s Ambassador to the United States, and H.E. Natasha Meli-Daudey, Malta’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, along with senior MTA executives Arthur Grima and Yasmine Scorfna, and leaders from the Maltese private sector and U.S. travel trade.

Why Malta, Why Now?

From ancient megalithic temples that pre-date Stonehenge to the baroque capital of Valletta and the cerulean waters of the Blue Lagoon, Malta offers an unmatched blend of heritage, leisure, and Mediterranean charm. It’s a destination built for travelers seeking substance as much as sun – from diving shipwrecks to sampling modern cuisine in centuries-old towns. With direct air connectivity and physical representation in New York, Malta Tourism in North America is now positioned to grow its market share significantly – tapping into a region that values both authenticity and accessibility.

The article Malta tourism in North America gets a boost with new MTA office and Delta’s JFK–Malta nonstop first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.