Frequently Asked Questions when visiting Malta

With its thriving economy and continuous business development across a number of fields, Malta has become an important hub for various trades, professions, services, vocations, research and education in the Mediterranean, making it a sensible choice to hold association meetings. Here you will find some answers to some Frequently Asked Questions. Why not also have a look at the pages About Malta. If we still didn’t answer your question, feel free to Contact Us.

Where is Malta located?

Malta is located at the southern tip of Italy. The Maltese archipelago (consisting of three main islands – Malta, Gozo and Comino) is just over 316 square kilometres in area – lying midway between Europe and North Africa. Situated at the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta is now considered to be a major shipping hub – with easy access to Eastern and Western ports.

The islands are strategically-located between Africa and Europe and have become multicultural and cosmopolitan as well as a meeting spot for international business contacts.

Easily accessible with a 3-hour direct flight from all major European airports and internal transfer time not exceeding 20-30 minutes, Malta is the ideal destination for meetings and incentives with a selection of internationally-branded four and five-star hotels, state-of-the-art infrastructure and conference facilities complemented with magnificent historical monuments which can be used as venues.

Why Choose Malta for your event ?

  • Situated in the heart of the Mediterranean: small, beautiful and unique
  • Flight time approximately 3 hours from mainland Europe and accessible from all major European gateways
  • An area of 316 sq km with three inhabited islands: Malta, Gozo & Comino and a population of 400,000 inhabitants
  • 300 days of sunshine an an all-year-round mild climate with a minimum of 5 hours of sunshine per day in winter peaking to 12 hours in summer
  • Internationally branded four and five-star hotels
  • State-of-the art infrastructure (conference facilities for up to 10,000 delegates)
  • Accommodation facilities with 3,500 rooms in 14 five-star hotels in close proximity to each other
  • English is the 2nd official language, spoken by the majority of the population. Italian is also widely spoken.
  • 7,000-year of intense and unique history with pre-historic temples older than the Pyramids
  • Magnificent historical monuments and public areas which can be used as venues among which baroque palaces and medieval cities
  • Short distances (avg. 15-20 minutes per transfer)
  • Friendly population and considered to be a safe country
  • Euro currency – competitive Euro prices with a VAT refund made available for foreign companies
  • World Heritage City, Valletta, to be European Capital of Culture in 2018
  • EU membership: Relaxed border controls for fellow EU passport holders.

What is the time difference in Malta?

Malta uses Central European Standard Time (CET) which is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT 1) and is in the Central European Time Zone. Like all European states Malta reverts to Summertime (Daylight-Saving) and local time is shifted forward by 1 hour. As a result, during Summertime, Malta is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT 2). At the end of the Summer months, time in Malta is shifted back by 1 hour to Central European Time (CET) or (GMT 1).

Does Malta offer good value in terms of price?

Malta offers good value, a high level of quality at a fair price. The currency is Euro.

The local VAT, which presently stands at 7% on accommodation and 18% on other services, is reimbursable after the conference.

What are the conference facilities like in Malta?

There are 108 hotels on Malta and Gozo ranging between 2 and 5 star, having a total of 31,141 available beds. In addition, hostels, guest houses and self-catering accommodation are also present. 

Most 4 and 5 star hotels have in-house conference facilities which can seat from 10 to 700 pax in one room. For larger events Malta has 3 major conference centres that can accommodate up to 10,000 delegates.

A wide variety of historical, spectacular or simply functional venues are open for your awards dinner.

State of the art audiovisual equipment incorporating all the latest technology is available and most hotels are equipped with WIFI. Printing services and office supplies are easily provided.

Top notch transportation services and informative local guides will complete the experience.

What kind of support can I expect?

Association meetings are strongly supported by the Malta Tourism Authority and considerable financial support is contributed to each meeting.

What is the Maltese climate like ?

300 days of balmy sunshine

Malta has a Mediterranean climate according to the Köppen Climate Classification (CSA), with very mild winters and warm to hot summers. The climate is mild all-year-round with a minimum of 5 hours of sunshine per day in Winter peaking to 12 hours in Summer.

Malta’s typically-Mediterranean climate is strongly influenced by the sea and this is what you should expect throughout the seasons.

Summer

Summers are hot, dry and very sunny. Day-time temperatures in Summer are often mitigated by cooling sea breezes. 

Spring & Autumn

Spring and Autumn are cooler, except when the occasional ‘scirocco’ wind from Africa brings unseasonally-high temperatures and humidity.

Winter

Winters are mild, with the occasional short cold spells brought about by the north and north-easterly winds from central Europe. Annual rainfall is low, averaging 568mm a year. Bathing in the sea is quite possible well into the ‘Winter’ months, and the peak beach season can last until mid-to-late October.

Check out the weather Malta International Airport (check if weather can be auto updated here) no follow link.