The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) on behalf of its members has announced a collective commitment of $2 billion in new investment in Malta.

This, the WTTC said, reflects “strong confidence in the Government’s leadership, its commitment to public-private collaboration, and its long-term vision for sustainable travel and tourism growth.”

The announcement was made during the WTTC Global Summit in Valletta, which brought together more than 1,000 delegates.

The WTTC said that the new investment commitment is expected to further strengthen Malta’s travel and tourism ecosystem, supporting the development of infrastructure, accommodation, connectivity, experiences and other areas of the visitor economy, while creating new opportunities for economic growth and employment.

The commitment underlines the growing confidence of the global private sector in Malta as a destination for investment, at a time when travel and tourism continues to play a central role in the country’s economy, the WTTC said.

WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research shows that travel and tourism is forecast to contribute US$4.9 billion to Malta’s economy in 2026, representing 16.9 per cent of the country’s GDP and supporting more than one in five jobs across the country, a statement by the WTTC read. “The latest data also highlights Malta as one of Europe’s strongest tourism performers. In 2025, the country recorded the highest annual increase in travel and tourism GDP contribution among all European economies, growing by 16.8 per cent, compared with the European average of 2.6 per cent.”

International visitor spending has also surged, with Malta registering the highest annual growth in visitor exports among EU economies in 2025 and the second highest across Europe, it added.

The Summit, which took place under the theme FUTU[RE]SET, focused on the forces reshaping the sector and the actions needed from governments and businesses to unlock investment, strengthen competitiveness and deliver sustainable long-term growth.

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 and 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 and CEO of the WTTC, said: “This investment commitment is a powerful vote of confidence in Malta’s Government and the country’s future as a leading travel and 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.”

He said that sustained investment in travel and 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.”

Featured image: DOI/MFT