VisitMalta Incentives & Meetings (VMIM), part of the Malta Tourism Authority, has been confirmed as the primary sponsor partner of The Mediterranean aha Forum. The forum will take place on 18 March 2026 at the Malta Marriott Resort & Spa, Balluta Bay, St Julian’s.
The Mediterranean aha Forum, in Partnership with VisitMalta Incentives & Meetings, will bring senior leaders together from hospitality, tourism, banking and finance, government, and advocacy to examine how accessibility is an integral part of hospitality and tourism’s future DNA.
VisitMalta Incentives & Meetings promotes the Maltese Islands as a destination for conferences, incentive travel, association business, luxury travel and destination weddings. Working from its headquarters in Malta, supported by the Malta Tourism Authority’s extensive international network, VMIM combines local expertise with global reach to strengthen Malta’s position across key international markets.
Delegates from VisitMalta UK and Ireland will travel to join their colleagues in Malta, with Tolene van der Merwe, Director UK & Ireland, Malta Tourism Authority leading a roundtable discussion at the forum.
The Maltese Islands have made significant progress in improving accessibility for visitors. Malta International Airport provides trained assistance for passengers with reduced mobility, alongside accessible facilities including designated seating areas, accessible toilets, and adapted parking.
Across the islands, many hotels, historic sites, museums, churches and forts have been adapted to improve accessibility, and a number of Blue Flag beaches provide accessible walkways and floating beach wheelchairs.
The Mediterranean aha Forum builds on the momentum created by the London aha Forums and represents Accessible Hospitality Alliance’s continued international development, bringing together leaders from many different countries committed to improving accessibility across hospitality and tourism.
Reflecting on the partnership, Alaine Ciantar, Director, VisitMalta Incentives & Meetings, told us: “At VisitMalta Incentives & Meetings, we firmly believe that accessibility is not a niche consideration, but a fundamental pillar of quality hospitality and responsible destination management.
“Our partnership with The Mediterranean aha Forum reflects Malta’s long term commitment to ensuring that our islands are welcoming, inclusive, and accessible to all travellers.
“By bringing together leaders from across sectors, this forum creates an important platform for dialogue, innovation, and tangible progress. We are proud to support an initiative that aligns so closely with Malta’s vision for a more inclusive and sustainable future for Tourism.”
The partnership was welcomed by Shawn Pisani, Malta Lead, Accessible Hospitality Alliance, saying: “Our industry often speaks about the importance of Responsible Tourism. Accessible Hospitality sets the bar for responsible tourism, diversified product, new revenue streams and tourism with a conscience. That our values are so aligned with VisitMalta Incentives & Meetings vision for our industry’s future, only serves to reconfirm our choice of Malta for our first forum outside of the United Kingdom as a strategically sound choice.
“My peers and I are excited to have this opportunity to share our expertise and resulting business growth with our Maltese counterparts.”
The partnership between Accessible Hospitality Alliance and VisitMalta Incentives & Meetings demonstrates how purposeful collaboration can accelerate progress in accessibility.
Due to the popularity of the Forum, the event has moved to the Malta Marriott Resort & Spa’s main Ballroom. Tickets to attend the full day including lunch and the early evening drinks and canapés are €100.
Tickets are available by application: Please send an email to agreen@handcnews.com
