Malta is accelerating efforts in accessible tourism, partnering with the Accessible Hospitality Alliance to make accessibility central to visitor services and events.
Summary: Malta is intensifying its focus on accessible tourism, joining forces with the Accessible Hospitality Alliance and local partners to host the Mediterranean AHA Forum on March 18, 2026, and promote inclusion across hospitality, events and employment.
Malta is positioning itself as a leader in accessible tourism. With increasing investment in infrastructure and partnerships, accessible tourism in Malta is becoming a core part of the country’s visitor strategy as it aims to welcome travellers of all abilities.
A growing priority: accessibility on the national agenda
Tourism has been a central pillar of Malta’s economy, and authorities are adapting the sector to serve a broader range of visitors. Public and private actors are updating facilities and services so that people with disabilities can access attractions, accommodation and events more easily.
Mediterranean AHA Forum: a focal point for change
The Mediterranean AHA Forum, scheduled for March 18, 2026, will gather hospitality and tourism stakeholders in Malta to discuss practical steps for improving accessibility. Organisers say the event will highlight how destinations and businesses can integrate inclusion across operations and guest services.
Hosting the Forum in Malta reflects the island’s ambition to be seen as a modern, inclusive travel destination where access is embedded in planning rather than treated as an afterthought.
- Event date: March 18, 2026
- Partners include VisitMalta Incentives & Meetings and the Accessible Hospitality Alliance (AHA)
- Venue: Malta Marriott Resort & Spa, Balluta Bay
Hospitality culture meets inclusive design
Maltese hospitality—known for its warmth and personal service—is being aligned with accessibility improvements. The aim is to ensure guests are welcomed as valued visitors and can experience the island with minimal barriers, from hotels and restaurants to public spaces.
Organisers and industry bodies are emphasising that accessibility enhances the overall guest experience, benefiting families, older travellers and those with temporary or permanent mobility needs.
Partnerships and workforce inclusion
Key public-private collaborations are driving the agenda. VisitMalta Incentives & Meetings (VMIM), the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA), the Malta Marriott Resort & Spa and organisations such as the Lino Spiteri Foundation (LSF) are coordinating to make accessibility part of event planning and day-to-day operations.
A planned roundtable led by Esmeralda Micallef Zarafa, CEO of the Lino Spiteri Foundation, will examine how hospitality employers can open meaningful career paths for people with disabilities, expanding the sector’s talent pool while promoting social inclusion.
Malta as a model for accessible travel
By combining its cultural attractions with targeted upgrades and collaborative initiatives, Malta is aiming to set an example for accessible tourism in the Mediterranean. The Forum is expected to showcase best practices and help embed accessibility across events, hospitality and destination planning.
Why this matters: travellers and the industry
Improving accessibility expands Malta’s appeal to a wider range of visitors and supports more equitable employment opportunities within hospitality. For travellers, this means more transparent information about facilities, better on-site services, and smoother access to events and attractions. For the industry, integrating accessibility can open new markets and strengthen resilience through inclusive design.
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