MTA awards tourism-themed projects in secondary schools

The CHOICE Programme for the scholastic year 2006/07, organized by the Malta Tourism Authority’s Industry HR Development Unit, came to a close with the awarding of prizes and certificates, distributed to secondary school students who participated in the CHOICE educational programme. The awards ceremony was held at the Corinthia Palace Hotel on the 21st June.

The main objective of the CHOICE programme is to heighten tourism awareness and promote careers in the tourism industry amongst secondary school students. CHOICE has been running for a number of years with over 10,000 students participating in the programme. This consists of specialized motivational talks from industry representatives who present an overview of the industry, the opportunities for prospective candidates and an on-site tour, either at a hotel, restaurant, travel agency, Heritage Malta site or Malta International Airport. Students from each of the 27 schools in Malta and Gozo participating in this year’s programme, were encouraged to take part in a competition by submitting a tourism-related project associated to one of the core values: Heritage, Hospitality and Diversity.

This event was presided by Joseph Tanti - Head of Human Resources Development, Malta Tourism Authority (MTA), Raymond J. Camilleri - Director, Curriculum Management, Ministry of Education Youth and Employment (MEYE) & George Schembri - CEO, Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA), representing the industry. The ITS and the University of Malta hosted stands which provided further information on the current tourism-related courses available.

First prize winners, Mark Cilia and Mark Saliba, won a trip to Budapest courtesy of Corinthia Hotels International and Airmalta.

The first prize, an educational trip to Budapest sponsored by Corinthia Hotels International and Air Malta, was won by Mark Cilia and Mark Saliba from the Archbishop’s Seminary in Rabat with their project called A Cocktail of Diversity.

The second prize, a weekend break in a locally based hotel, also sponsored by Corinthia Hotels International, was awarded to Dylan Said and James Camilleri from De La Salle College in Cospicua. Their project was called Destination Malta.

The third prize consisted of a set of limited edition books and was won by Maria Formosa, Sarah Farrugia and Shelley Aquilina from the Convent of the Sacred Heart in St. Julian's, with their project entitled A taste of Maltese cuisine.

The MTA’s Industry HR Development Unit is responsible for the development of human resources in the tourism industry. The promotion of careers within secondary schools is one of the principal objectives of this Unit. The CHOICE programme is organised in collaboration with various hotels, restaurants and travel agencies in Malta & Gozo, and will be organized again during the next scholastic year. For more information on the programme, please contact the MTA’s Industry HR Development Unit on tel. no: 22915122 / 4 or email choice@visitmalta.com.

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