Malta receives USD 2 billion in tourism investment from WTTC.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has pledged USD 2 billion in new investment in Malta on behalf of its members, expressing strong confidence in the Government’s leadership, public-private collaboration, and long-term vision for sustainable tourism growth.
WTTC Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre made the statement during the opening of the WTTC Global Summit in Valletta, which drew over 1,000 delegates, including 200 of the world’s top travel and tourism CEOs and government leaders.
WTTC’s recent Economic Impact Research predicts that Malta’s tourism industry will provide USD 4.9 billion to the economy in 2026, 16.9% of its GDP and more than one in five employment.
Malta is also a top European tourism performer, according to recent data. Travel & Tourism’s GDP contribution expanding by 16.8% in 2025 was the largest in Europe, compared to 2.6% elsewhere.
Malta had the largest annual growth in tourist exports among EU economies in 2025, 16.1%, compared to 2.4% for the EU and 1.3% for Europe. These statistics demonstrate Malta’s worldwide travel and tourism competitiveness, resilience, and appeal.
The new investment commitment is projected to boost Malta’s Travel & Tourism ecosystem by developing infrastructure, lodging, connections, experiences, and other visitor economy areas, producing new economic growth and employment prospects.
Malta hosts WTTC’s 26th Global Summit, putting the country at the center of global travel and tourism discussions and attracting some of the sector’s most significant investors and decision-makers to Valletta.
The conference, themed FUTU[RE]SET, examined the dynamics altering the sector and how governments and businesses might unleash investment, increase competitiveness, and sustain 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 key to our industry’s future. Malta can build on its tourist success and provide enduring economic opportunity for its people by improving infrastructure, connectivity, and visitor experience.”
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC, said: “Our Members are investing in the country’s tourism economy and future opportunities. Malta leads in public-private collaboration. Travel & Tourism investment boosts jobs, innovation, infrastructure, and destination competitiveness. Governments and the private sector can maximise our sector’s economic and social benefits by working together.”
The investment announcement emphasises bringing global industry leaders to Malta. With over 200 CEOs and senior executives from aviation, hospitality, travel technology, tourism investment, destinations, and other areas of the Travel & Tourism ecosystem in Valletta, the Summit gives Malta a unique opportunity to showcase its investment proposition to the sector’s future leaders.
