(Letter to the Ministry for Tourism & Culture dated 23 November, 2007)

Dear Sir,

I have just recently returned from a 3 week vacation in Malta and felt compelled to write to the Ministry of Tourism. It is my hope that you share this letter with your staff and those in the tourism industry that need to see that something special is happening.

Being a graduate of a Travel and Tourism program long ago, I have worked with the Ministry of Tourism for Ontario/Ministry of Economic, Trade and Commerce and more recently as the Chamber of Commerce Manager and Tourism Coordinator for my area in Ontario.

I knew that what I felt, and experienced should be shared with you and your staff for it's one thing to initiate good tourism practices and yet another to see if they are indeed working. One of the first stops that I made when I ventured into Valletta was of course the Tourism office and I was impressed with their professionalism and their support.

Before I decided on Malta as a destination, I researched it online and yes, I'll admit that I knew little beforehand. Reading an online newspaper gave me a feel of the island in some ways. I became almost obsessive in my quest to learn more before I arrived and found many sites with good pictures and details. Fortunately, a very good friend of mine willingly shared his experiences and knowledge with me. I purposely chose a more off-season time to visit: less visitors, cooler climate and I went armed with things that ‘should be experienced and enjoyed.'

I wasn't disappointed. I stayed in Marsascala in a small, family run hotel and the owner and staff made my stay truly memorable.

I traveled alone and yet never really felt ‘alone' and I saw both the highlights and the off-the-beaten-track parts of the country.

What I experienced can only be expressed as one of the best holidays that I've ever had and I've had the good fortune to travel in the past.

The history, the architecture, the arts, and the culture were all phenomenal. I find it difficult at times to even begin to express what a lasting impression this has made on me.
There was nothing that disappointed me at all...

But there is one thing that stands out above all and it is the people of Malta themselves that captured my heart in many ways. Not once in the three weeks that I was there, did I ever encounter any rudeness or any shortcomings. Not once was I ever made to feel unwelcome or unwanted. Quite the contrary.

The Maltese are welcoming, gracious and kind. They always made me feel special and alive and considering the size of your country and how you are constantly inundated with visitors from all over the world, this is truly a very special characteristic.

I found myself conversing with the residents at bus stops, in shops, and wherever I went. They loved hearing that I was a Canadian and many would even hug me at some point in the conversation. It was interesting but I found that older residents wanted to share and to talk more, oftentimes initiating the conversation and in some cases when the use of English was a bit challenging, they'd smile and try extremely hard to ensure that I understood what their intent was. It added to the charm of the people. As I sit here recalling those special times I am warmed by those memories.

I marveled at your transportation system and loved how easily and economically it was to visit places all over the island and I remember my first squeal of surprise and delight when one bus hit a bump and I'm sure others on the bus laughed along with my response.

I felt at ease and safe and cannot begin to express how relaxed and rejuvenated I now am. Funnily enough, my internal clock is still on "Malta time" and refuses to return to "Canadian time."

My only complaint is that I didn't stay longer but know that I will be back and actually want to return to Malta rather than visiting any other destination.

The residents welcomed me, embraced me and captured my heart.
And those of us in the industry know... that's the secret to successful tourism. I will be back and I can't wait until I am.

Thank you, for whatever initiatives that your Ministry has been working on... it's your residents that made your country shine in my eyes.

Yours truly,

Donna

About The Author

Donna Gorrie lives in Ontario Canada and travelled to Malta for the first time in 2007.