Understanding the tourism sector you are entering — its scale, its importance to the Maltese economy, and its key players — gives you the professional context to represent your employer and your sector with confidence.
Use this page to practise
Explain the difference between MTA and ITS using only the roles described on this page.
Independent practice only. This guide is not an official syllabus, question bank, or prediction of results.
- TRS
T&H Skills Pass · Topic 5 of 7
4 sections · 7 key facts · 4 review prompts
Tourism and the Maltese economy
Tourism is an important sector in Malta. Visitor totals and source-market rankings change over time, so use dated official statistics for any numerical comparison.
Tourism supports employment across accommodation, food service, transport, attractions and related businesses — hotels, restaurants, bars, tour operators, transport providers, entertainment venues, and the suppliers that serve them.
As a T&H worker, you are part of an industry that shapes how the world perceives Malta. Every guest interaction is a contribution to — or subtraction from — Malta's reputation as a destination.
Who visits Malta and why
Malta welcomes visitors from many countries. Source-market rankings change over time; check dated official statistics rather than relying on a fixed ranking.
Key motivators for visiting Malta include: its Mediterranean climate and beaches; its remarkable heritage (three UNESCO World Heritage Sites — Valletta, the Megalithic Temples, and the Hypogeum of Ħal Saflieni); diving and water sports; English language learning tourism (Malta is a popular destination for English-language courses); and conference and business tourism.
The Maltese tourism product is diverse: it includes luxury accommodation, budget hostels, traditional festas, cuisine tourism, history tourism, and a significant nightlife sector in areas like St Julian's and Paceville.
Key institutions: MTA and ITS
The Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) is the government body responsible for the promotion and regulation of tourism in Malta. Consult its official guidance for the licensing, classification and standards relevant to your establishment.
The Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS Malta) is Malta's specialist college for tourism and hospitality education and training. ITS Malta trains professional chefs, hospitality managers, and other T&H professionals. Crucially for your purposes, ITS Malta also conducts the Phase 2 Skills Pass assessment interviews.
Understanding who MTA and ITS are is useful professional context. This guide includes practice questions on the distinction; we cannot confirm whether it will appear in your assessment.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Malta
Malta has three UNESCO World Heritage properties: the City of Valletta, the Megalithic Temples of Malta and the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum. They are central to Malta's heritage tourism offering and may come up in guest conversations. Consult UNESCO and Heritage Malta for inscription history, archaeological dates and visiting arrangements.
Valletta is Malta’s capital city, known for its baroque architecture and historic fortifications.
The Megalithic Temples of Malta include Ġgantija (on Gozo), Ħaġar Qim, Mnajdra and Tarxien. They are prehistoric temple sites.
The Hypogeum of Ħal Saflieni (Paola) is an underground prehistoric site; check Heritage Malta for visiting arrangements.
Key facts to remember
Visitor totals and source-market rankings change over time; use dated official statistics for numbers
Tourism supports employment across accommodation, food service, transport and attractions
Malta Tourism Authority (MTA): check its official guidance for the standards that apply to your establishment
Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS Malta): a tourism and hospitality education institute; per the Skills Pass sector site, it processes applications and provides training and assessments
Three UNESCO World Heritage properties: the City of Valletta, the Megalithic Temples of Malta, the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum
Ġgantija, one of the Megalithic Temples, is on Gozo
Key tourism draws include climate, heritage, diving, English language learning and conferences
Study tips
- Know the difference between MTA and ITS — this guide includes practice questions on it, but we cannot confirm whether it will appear in your assessment.
- Learn the three UNESCO sites by name and one key fact about each — guests will ask about them regularly.
- Source-market rankings change over time: use dated official statistics rather than memorising a fixed ranking.
- For spoken rehearsal, explain what makes Malta an attractive destination. This is an original practice prompt, not a confirmed interview question or marking criterion.
Common pitfalls
- Confusing MTA (Malta Tourism Authority) with ITS (Institute of Tourism Studies)
- Not knowing that Malta has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites — or knowing only one or two
- Thinking the Megalithic Temples are only on the main island — Ġgantija is on Gozo
- Quoting visitor numbers or rankings without a dated source
Ready to test yourself?
Self-test
Quick review
4 questions · tap to reveal
What does MTA stand for, and where should you check its standards?
The Malta Tourism Authority; consult its official guidance for the licensing, classification and standards relevant to your establishment.
What role does ITS Malta play in the Skills Pass?
Per the Skills Pass sector site, the Institute of Tourism Studies processes applications on the portal and provides training and assessments.
Name Malta's three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Valletta, the Megalithic Temples of Malta (including Ġgantija on Gozo), and the Hypogeum of Ħal Saflieni.
Why should you use a dated source for tourism visitor numbers and rankings?
Because totals and source-market rankings change over time.
Preparation scope and sources
The official sector page names Basic Customer Care, the Maltese Tourism Product and an occupation assessment, then a verification interview. These exercises are original practice, not an official marking rubric.
Read the official Tourism and Hospitality assessment guidance
Assessment guidance checked:
The linked programme overview establishes the preparation context, not an official endorsement of these exercises. Follow your provider's current course materials and assessment instructions.