The Luxury Travel Collection (LTC), in partnership with Visit Malta, hosted an exclusive “A Taste of Malta” event in Melbourne on Wednesday night, immersing members in one of the Mediterranean’s most captivating emerging luxury destinations.
Held at Bar Jayda, the evening featured a vibrant culinary journey curated by acclaimed chef Shane Delia, who brought the island’s flavours to life through dishes inspired by his Maltese heritage and recent travels.
Guests were also joined by Mario Farrugia Borg, Director of Visit Malta for Australia & New Zealand, who shared insights into Malta’s growing luxury appeal, cultural heritage, and unique positioning as a destination of choice for discerning travellers.
The Melbourne success sets the stage for the next event in the series, to be held on 16 September at the Sydney Seafood School, where Maltese chef Patrick Dugo will lead an immersive culinary experience, alongside further insights from Visit Malta.
“It was fantastic to bring our members together in Melbourne for such an engaging evening with Visit Malta,” said Lisa Wright, LTC’s Head of Events.
“Events are essential in connecting our community with leading partners and destinations, ensuring our members remain at the forefront of luxury travel trends and the hottest destinations. By equipping our members with deep destination knowledge, they are empowered to better serve their clients with unique and meaningful experiences.”
The events come as Australian interest in Malta continues to rise, with Australians travellers to Malta during Q1 2025 up 35% compared to Q1 2024, according to Visit Malta. Increasingly, travellers are seeking a less crowded alternative to Italy or Greece that still offers an authentic luxury travel experience and Malta are stepping up its offering to meet this demand.
In response, LTC has expanded its Hotels de Luxe offering in Malta, while more Cruises de Luxe partners now include the archipelago in their itineraries. Several of LTC’s Experiences and Touring partners are also designing new programs to showcase the country’s rich culture, history, and breathtaking coastlines.
Adding to Malta’s allure is its emergence as a gastronomic destination. The recent Michelin Guide Malta 2025 highlights several esteemed restaurants, further elevating the island’s profile with luxury travellers seeking world-class dining experiences.
“It was a privilege to showcase Malta’s culture, cuisine and luxury appeal to such an engaged audience in Melbourne. We are excited to share more in Sydney and to see Malta continue its rise as a luxury destination for Australian travellers,” added Mario Farrugia Borg.
Lead image: From left are: Stephanie Bleakley, LTC; Adrian Clarke, LTC; Louise Hill, Unique Tourism Collection; Chef Shane Delia; Lisa Wright, LTC; and Mario Farrugia Borg, Director, Visit-Malta-for-Australia/New Zealand.
