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Date: 8 October 2026
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has honoured H.E. Ian Borg, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health of Malta, with its Global Leadership Award, recognising his leadership in supporting Travel & Tourism and his commitment to strengthening collaboration between government and the private sector.
Presented during the WTTC Global Summit in Valletta, bringing together more than 1,000 delegates, including over 200 of the world's leading Travel & Tourism CEOs and government leaders, the award recognises Deputy Prime Minister Borg's role in helping position Malta at the centre of global discussions on the future of the sector.
The WTTC Global Leadership Award is presented to exceptional leaders from Summit host destinations who demonstrate a commitment to fostering Travel & Tourism growth through collaboration, innovation and engagement with industry stakeholders.
Throughout Malta's preparations for the Global Summit, Deputy Prime Minister Borg has been a strong advocate for working closely with the private sector, supporting dialogue with global industry leaders and helping create the conditions for investment, growth and long-term competitiveness.
Hosting the WTTC Global Summit has provided Malta with an unprecedented opportunity to showcase its tourism offering, connectivity, business environment and cultural heritage to the most influential decision-makers in global Travel & Tourism.
WTTC's latest Economic Impact Research shows that Travel & Tourism is forecast to contribute US$4.9 billion to Malta's economy in 2026, representing 16.9% of the country's GDP and supporting more than one in five jobs across the country.
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 & Tourism's GDP contribution among all European economies, growing by 16.8%, compared with the European average of 2.6%.
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC, said: “Deputy Prime Minister Borg has been a true champion of engagement with the private sector, recognising that the strongest tourism economies are built through close collaboration between governments and businesses."
"His leadership and commitment to dialogue have helped strengthen Malta's position as a leading tourism destination and have been instrumental in bringing the global Travel & Tourism community together in Valletta. This award recognises his dedication to fostering partnerships that create jobs, attract investment and support sustainable economic growth."
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About the World Travel & Tourism Council
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is the global body representing the private sector of Travel & Tourism and the leading authority on the sector’s economic and social contribution worldwide. Its members include Chairmen, Presidents and CEOs of the world’s leading travel and tourism companies across hotels, airlines, airports, cruise lines, tour operators, technology platforms and destinations, spanning every major region globally.
WTTC works to advance sustainable growth across the Travel & Tourism sector by driving collaboration between industry leaders and governments, shaping global policy, and providing authoritative research on the sector’s economic impact worldwide.