19 winners at the Malta Tourism Authority STAR Awards

On the 20th February, during the annual MTA STAR Awards ceremony held at the Corinthia San Gorg, 19 STARS were awarded for excellence in service or product, while the top nominees also received recognition. This lively event was enjoyed by all present, not least thanks to the hilarious sketches offered by ZOO.

During the event the Minister for Tourism and Culture, Dr. Francis Zammit Dimech commented that the Special Thanks and Recognition (STAR) scheme is an important initiative through which the MTA is able to give public recognition to all those who work in the tourism industry.

The service award is totally consumer-driven and this year 14 people were awarded - this was the result of almost 6,000 nominations from tourists for over 700 different individuals. From among these, up to 4 finalists were short listed for each of the 14 STAR categories. The 14 STAR performers each received a certificate, an 18ct gold lapel-pin and €800 cash prize, whereas the remaining finalists received a certificate and a cash prize of €150.

The STAR winners in the service categories for 2007 are:

Boatmen Category: Stuart Burke, Captain Morgan;
Bus Drivers Category: Paul Farrugia;
Coach and Mini Bus Drivers Category: Michael Buttiġieġ, Zarb Coaches;
General: Alfred Galea, Society of St. Mary, Mqabba;
Heritage Sites, Museums & Places and Interest Category: Ronnie Said, Classic Car Museum;
Horse-Drawn Cab Drivers Category: David Debattista;
Hotels Category (Food and Beverage): Rita Butigieg, Cavalieri;
Hotels Category (Front Office and Housekeeping): John Bamber, 115 The Strand;
Restaurants Category: Antonio Pané, Sottovoce;
Shop Assistants/ Owners Category: Sylvia Grech, Mgarr Tourist Services;
Sports Instructors Category: Martin Hall, Paradise Bay Diving Centre;
Taxis & Chauffeur Driven Vehicles Category: Michael Camilleri, Belmont Garage;
Tourist Guides Category: Patricia Flores Martin;
Travel Representatives Category: Fredric Pourrut, Voyage FRAM;

Six of these people were also past STAR winners. These were Paul Farrugia, Rita Buttigieg, Antonio Pané, Sylvia Grech, Martin Hall and Michael Camilleri.

As an incentive for tourists to participate, there is a prize consisting of complimentary flights (courtesy of Air Malta) and accommodation for two persons. The lucky tourist for 2007 is a fourteen year old boy from the UK and he, together with his parents, will be coming over during the month of June.

Through the STAR scheme the MTA also awarded good quality tourism products. Five awards were given in total and these were selected by the adjudicating panel which was made up of people from various related entities. The prize for these categories was a certificate, a wooden plaque and €800. The runners-up received a certificate and a cash prize of €150.

The STAR winners in the product categories are:

Best Festa Stall: ‘Iz-Zebbugi Hawn’ (Robert Caruana)
Best Fixed Kiosk: Tony’s Ice-Cream, Buġibba (Anthony Catania)
Best Tourist Shop: Limestone Heritage, Siġġiewi (Manuel Baldacchino)
Most Attractive Public Garden (Managed by a local council): ‘Ġnien is-Serenita’ Garden of Serenity, Santa Luċija
Most Attractive Square: ‘Misraħ il-Knisja’, Safi

From these categories covering the best product we also had a repeat winner for the ‘Best Festa Stall’ which is owned by Robert Caruana.

The STAR Scheme 2008 has already begun and all nominations received since January this year will automatically be included in this year’s scheme. Tourists may nominate anyone working in the tourism or related industries. Nomination forms are available at various points including hotels, restaurants, the airport, taxis, coaches and many others. STAR performers of 2007 will not be eligible for the 2008 awards.

For further information kindly contact the Quality Assurance Unit on 22915272 or starscheme@visitmalta.com

This issue is available at: 0802.