The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced a collective commitment of $2 billion in new investment in Malta, highlighting growing investor confidence in the country’s tourism sector and its long-term development plans.

The announcement was made during the WTTC Global Summit in Valletta, which brought together more than 1,000 delegates, including over 200 leading travel and tourism CEOs and government representatives.

The investment is expected to support Malta’s tourism ecosystem, including infrastructure, accommodation, connectivity and visitor experiences, while creating opportunities for economic growth and employment.

According to WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research, travel and tourism is forecast to contribute $4.9 billion to Malta’s economy in 2026, accounting for 16.9% of gross domestic product (GDP) and supporting more than one in five jobs nationwide.

Malta has also recorded strong tourism growth compared with other European markets. In 2025, the sector’s contribution to the country’s GDP increased by 16.8%, the highest annual growth among European economies, compared with the European average of 2.6%.

International visitor spending also rose sharply, with Malta recording a 16.1% increase in visitor exports in 2025. This was the highest growth among European Union economies and the second highest across Europe, compared with increases of 2.4% across the EU and 1.3% across Europe overall.

The WTTC said the investment commitment reflects confidence in the Maltese government’s leadership, its approach to public-private collaboration and its vision for sustainable tourism growth.

The announcement comes as Malta hosts the WTTC’s 26th Global Summit, placing the Mediterranean destination at the centre of discussions on the future of global travel and tourism.

Held under the theme FUTU[RE]SET, the summit examined the forces reshaping the sector and the measures needed to attract investment, improve competitiveness and support sustainable long-term growth.

The $2 billion commitment is expected to strengthen Malta’s position as an international tourism destination while supporting further development across the visitor economy.

Manfredi Lefebvre, Chairman, WTTC, said: “This commitment reflects the confidence our Members have in the Government of Malta and the country’s extraordinary potential. 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: “This investment commitment is a powerful vote of confidence in Malta’s Government and the country’s future as a leading Travel & Tourism destination. 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.” -TradeArabia News Service