Page 8 - ITS Prospectus 2020-2021

WELCOME MESSAGE BY
the Chairman of the Board
of Governors
Dear Students,
The Maltese Islands and the world are
experiencing extraordinary times. The spread of
the invisible enemy virus is testing everyone’s
resolve and humanity itself. It is at these times
that we must come together and support each
other but at the same time be innovative and
think outside our comfort zones. This is the
time for initiative, invention and pioneers while
the future is being re-designed. The world after
Covid-19 will not be the same. There shall be a
new reality after we win this battle.
The Institute of Tourism Studies has not been
immune to the challenges we faced and continue
to experience as social distancing measures are
enforced to safeguard the health of the local
population. ITS had to close overnight as per
instructions by health authorities but I am pleased
to say that the foresight and planning of the ITS
Board of Governors, Management, Lecturers and
Staff at all levels allowed the Institute to be one
of the first academic institutions to continue with
the academic program online for its students. I
take this opportunity to thank the team at ITS
for making this possible and for their continued
endeavour to improve the service we give to our
students all the time.
6 PROSPECTUS 2020/2021
I am also pleased to hear how the big majority
of students have adapted to this new reality
and rose to the challenge to be more self-
disciplined, independent and inquisitive in their
studies. The challenge we are facing is also an
important lesson for life, both for the students
and for all of us as we learn that life can change
overnight and to take nothing for granted.
Tourism to Malta and Gozo has gone from
close to 3 million visitors in 2019 to zero in the
space of weeks. One of the four main pillars of
Malta’s economy has come to a halt. Never like
today did we realise how important tourism is
to our economy and the multiplier effect it has already preparing strategy and marketing plans
in far reaching niches of our society. to ensure that Malta and Gozo shall position
themselves to be destinations of choice rather
than compete on price. ITS has an important
Undoubtedly this is a very testing period for role in this new strategy as today more than
all those that have made the tourism industry ever the industry will need the best trained
their career and lifeline but I am confident personnel to deliver the best experience
that as soon as social distancing measures and possible to the higher spending year-round
travel bans are lifted, tourism will bounce back tourist that Malta and Gozo will be attracting.
with a vengeance. The people of the world
will want to travel and make new experiences I augur all students studying at ITS a
again, appreciating the freedom to travel more productive and interesting year ahead, but
than ever before. This will also be the time more importantly good health to all.
when Malta has the opportunity to re-design
its future tourism industry and for this the
Ministry for Tourism and Consumer Protection CARLO MICALLEF
together with MTA and industry partners are CHAIRMAN – BOARD OF GOVERNORS