The Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) has a diverse role, but one which in essence is all about creating and fostering relationships. The MTA is the tourism industry's regulator and motivator, its business partner, the country's brand promoter, and is here to form, maintain and manage meaningful partnerships with all tourism stakeholders. Primarily, this means talking to visitors to the Islands, but also to work closely alongside the private sector partners. Importantly, the MTA is also here to help strengthen the industry's human resources, ensure the highest standards and quality of the Islands' tourism product, and foster relations with local and international media. The Authority was formally set up by the Malta Travel and Tourism Service Act (1999). This clearly defines its role – extending it beyond that of international marketing to include a domestic, motivating, directional, coordinating and regulatory role. The Act strengthens the public and private partnership in tourism through greater and more direct participation by the private sector in national planning and development of the industry. The Role of the MTA is:

• to promote and advance Malta as a tourism destination;

• to advise Government on tourism operations and to issue licences under the Act;

• to contribute toward the improvement of the level of human resources in the tourism industry;

• to advise government on the planning and development of the tourism industry as well as on the infrastructure supporting the industry;

• the Malta Tourism Authority is here to assist and advise on any tourism-related issues and to undertake activities and projects to fulfil our role.

The Malta Tourism Authority falls under the responsibility of the Ministry for Tourism.