WTTC commits USD 2 bn in new tourism investment for Malta
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The announcement was made by Manfredi Lefebvre, Chairman, WTTC, during the opening of the WTTC Global Summit in Valletta.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced, on behalf of its members, a collective commitment of USD 2 billion in new investment in Malta, reflecting strong confidence in the Government’s leadership, its commitment to public-private collaboration, and its long-term vision for sustainable Travel & Tourism growth.
The announcement was made by Manfredi Lefebvre, Chairman, WTTC, during the opening of the WTTC Global Summit in Valletta, bringing together more than 1,000 delegates, including more than 200 of the world’s leading Travel & Tourism CEOs and government leaders.
WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research shows that Travel & Tourism is forecast to contribute USD 4.9 billion to Malta’s economy in 2026, representing 16.9% of the country’s GDP and supporting more than one in five jobs across the country.
The latest data also highlights Malta as one of Europe’s strongest tourism performers. In 2025, the country recorded the highest annual increase in Travel & Tourism’s GDP contribution among all European economies, growing by 16.8%, compared with the European average of 2.6%.
International visitor spending has also surged, with Malta registering the highest annual growth in visitor exports among EU economies in 2025 and the second highest across Europe, increasing by 16.1%, compared with 2.4% for the EU and 1.3% for Europe overall. These results underline Malta’s strong competitiveness, resilience and attractiveness as a global Travel & Tourism destination.
The new investment commitment is expected to further strengthen Malta’s Travel & Tourism ecosystem, supporting the development of infrastructure, accommodation, connectivity, experiences and other areas of the visitor economy, while creating new opportunities for economic growth and employment.
It also comes as Malta hosts WTTC’s 26th Global Summit, placing the country at the centre of global conversations on the future of Travel & Tourism and bringing some of the sector’s most influential investors and decision-makers to Valletta.
The summit, under the theme FUTU[RE]SET, was focused on the forces reshaping the sector and the actions needed from governments and businesses to unlock investment, strengthen competitiveness and deliver sustainable long-term growth.
Lefebvre said: “Bringing global investors together in Valletta provides a unique opportunity to translate dialogue into action, and these commitments demonstrate that Malta is firmly on the radar of the international Travel & Tourism investment community. Investment is fundamental to the future of our sector. By continuing to strengthen infrastructure, connectivity and the visitor experience, Malta can build on its remarkable tourism success while creating lasting economic opportunity for its people.”
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC, said: “Our Members are putting capital behind their belief in the country’s potential, recognising the strength of its tourism economy and the opportunities that lie ahead. The Government of Malta has demonstrated real leadership through its commitment to public-private collaboration. Sustained investment in Travel & Tourism supports jobs, drives innovation, strengthens infrastructure and enhances destination competitiveness. By working together, governments and the private sector can unlock the full potential of our sector to deliver lasting economic and social benefits.”
The investment announcement further reinforces the importance of bringing global industry leaders directly to Malta. With more than 200 CEOs and senior executives from across aviation, hospitality, travel technology, tourism investment, destinations and other areas of the Travel & Tourism ecosystem gathered in Valletta, the Summit provides Malta with a unique platform to showcase its investment proposition to the people shaping the sector’s future.
