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GTA Council and Staff
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The GTA Council
Mr Paul Scicluna
Chairman
Mr Paul SciclunaChairman
He served on the Executive Council as a treasurer during the first eight years and Chairman for the last sixteen years. Paul has extensive experience in the tourism industry and managed for forty years one of the leading local companies in the self-catering business. We can say that Paul’s company was one of the first to see the potential in renovating the traditional old houses which locally are known as the converted Farmhouses. Paul represents the Self-Catering Establishments on the council and over the years has been very active in promoting and safeguarding the interests of the tourism sector in general and the interests of all members. Paul represents the GTA on the board of the Gozo Action Group Foundation and on the Gozo Regional Committee of MCESD.
Mr Mario Loporto
Vice Chairman
Mr Mario LoportoVice Chairman
Mario moved to Gozo as Consultant with the Ta Frenc Group setting up Gozo Village Holidays who are a forerunner in Gozo Tourism. He is very proud in introducing many big Tour Operators to Gozo.
Mario had been involved in all aspects of Tourism.
With all these experiences and success gained Mario is always ready to help others and has kept himself involved in this business for all these years. He loves everything about Tourism, has always been committed to Tourism and enjoys sharing his experiences with others.
Mario joined the Gozo Tourism Association in its early years, has been it’s chairman for two years and vice chairman up to this day for consecutive years.
When younger Mario was dedicated to the game of football and was lucky to have played at top level football. Having the honor to have played against great European teams when he was part of the Malta National team.
Mr Mark Busuttil
Secretary
Mr Mark BusuttilSecretary
Since 2020 Mark Busuttil is now the owner of the St. Andrew’s Divers Cove. He has been diving around the Maltese islands for more than 30 years and presently is also Director of Diving.
Mark Busuttil has been sitting on the Council of the Gozo Tourism Association as representative of the Diving Section since 1999.
Mark has been involved and consulted in numerous diving studies, surveys and research. He was instrumental in all the scuttling of the four wrecks off ix-Xatt l-Ahmar.
Presently he occupies the post of Secretary of the Gozo Tourism Association.
Mr Joe Muscat Sammut
Treasurer
Mr Joe Muscat SammutTreasurer
Moved to the private sector at Arkadia Commercial Centre as Deputy General Manager and then to the Downtown Hotel as General Manager. Currently is Managing Director at Lucky Jack’s Bar, Grill & Bowling, an entertainment centre in Victoria.
Has an honours degree in Business Management from the University of Malta and an MBA in Information Technology and Management (Maastricht School of Management). Was actively involved in local football as player, coach and club administration.
Ms Pauline Spiteri
Vice Secretary
Ms Pauline SpiteriVice Secretary
In 2009, Ms. Spiteri ventured and invested in the rental of farmhouses and apartments which is a very popular accommodation sector in the tourism industry. These beautifully converted Gozo Houses of Character (Farmhouses) with pools are now the most sought accommodations for rent in Gozo.
Pauline Spiteri was repeatedly elected as a council member of the Gozo Tourism Association since February 2012. Presently she is the Assistant Secretary of GTA a post she has held for the past three years.
Pauline Spiteri’s priority has always been in providing excellent service to the clients and colleges.
Ms Charlene Xerri Gatt
Vice Treasurer
Mr Amand P. Veranneman Van Hoeck
Council Member
Mr Amand P. Veranneman Van HoeckCouncil Member
Amand was one of the founders of the GTA together with other members and has served on the GTA Council since 1999. He started the first Gastronomic Restaurant on Gozo being in the HORECA sector for the past 50 years .Still working PT as a Senior Property Consultant with Dhalia for 10 years and for the last 2 years with ERAMALTA.
A member of the Chaine des Rotisseurs Mondial Gastronomic Society and Commandeur Silver medal with the Bailliage de Malte for the past 40 years .
Promoting and starting to introduce Sports on the Island of Gozo like Tennis, Squash, Volleyball, Triathlon and Open Water Swimming.
Still practising Open Water Swimming on the International and National level. For the past seven years, I have competed in races and become Malta National Champion over 60 + recognised by ASA Malta.2017,18,19,20,21,22,23.
Mr Konrad Scicluna
Council Member
Mr Konrad SciclunaCouncil Member
An airline pilot by profession, Konrad retired from flying with over 15,700 flying hours after a career with Malta’s national airline of almost 35 years
Before joining Air Malta Konrad spent over a year in London working in IT at a major tour operator and travel agent. On returning to Gozo, he co-founded Links Travel, at that time a small outgoing travel agency which today has become the Links Travel Group, a travel and hospitality company which incorporates both outgoing and incoming travel, insurance, property management, various destination management websites, tour operation and property letting.
An avid traveller, Konrad has travelled extensively to the four corners of the globe both as part of his duties as an airline pilot but more so privately with his family or friends.
Konrad represents the GTA on the Gozo Regional Committee and is a member of the GRDA. For the past year he has been very actively involved in the setting up of the new GTA website and especially the GTA members intranet.
Mr Ryan Grech
Council Member
Mr Ryan GrechCouncil Member
The reason I have selected this area of work is due to the fact that I would be able to interact with people from all over the world and have opportunities to learn about their cultures, languages, and perspectives.
I strongly believe that helping travellers creates memorable experiences. Furthermore, there is nothing more rewarding than making their stay enjoyable.
Mr Joe Mercieca
Council Member
Mr Joe MerciecaCouncil Member
This early experience offered a unique opportunity to Joseph to further his knowledge and interest in this demanding and challenging industry. In fact, he enrolled on a full-time course at the ITS in Gozo covering Food and Beverage Preparation. On termination of this two-year full-time course, Joseph embarked on his first full time job as a waiter in the Kartell Restaurant. During this time, he was also performing duties of Head waiter and later promoted to Food and Beverage Manager.
After two years gaining relevant experience at the Il-Kartell Restaurant, he took a bold step and opened his own outlet in Xlendi. At it-Terrazzo Restaurant, Joseph invested a lot of money time and energy to established it as leading Restaurant not only in Xlendi, but also in Gozo.
This bold move was the stepping stone to move on to another challenge in Joseph career path, as he renovated and opened the Country Terrace Restaurant in Mgarr. He grew in this position furthering his management skills on a span of 17 years.
Now, Joseph is Chef Patron of the Country Terrace Restaurant, a catering outlet that continued going forward from strength to strength. This is all attributed to the keen interest and passion Joseph always put in his work place.
Mr Ludgard Gatt
Council Member
Mr Ivan Mifsud
Council Member
Mr Ivan MifsudCouncil Member
Mifsud Bros Ltd with a history that goes back to 1860, soon expanded to Libya, followed by Algeria and the island of Gozo, operating out of 14 south Mediterranean ports. A boutique Meetings, Incentive, Conference and Event (MICE) Department was set up to deliver creative and experiential destination management services to clients.
Ivan Mifsud is also the Honorary Consul for South Africa and represents Messe Berlin in Malta.
Ivan Mifsud has been a council member of the Gozo Tourism Association since 2019 representing the cruise and excursions section.
Mr Marvic Borg
Council Member
Mr Chris Magro
Council Member
Ms. Daniela Farrugia
Council Member
Ms. Daniela FarrugiaCouncil Member
Her journey in business began early, as she admired her father’s entrepreneurial spirit and aspired to become a director herself. Together with her husband, Daniela acquired Gozo Pride Tours, and in just two years, they have significantly enhanced its growth and reputation.
Daniela and her husband believe in the power of teamwork and mutual respect, leading their dedicated staff with a philosophy centered on prioritizing client needs over rapid wealth accumulation. Daniela’s approach to business is deeply rooted in the values passed down by her father, ensuring a commitment to excellence and integrity in every aspect of their operation.
Under Daniela’s capable leadership, Gozo Pride Tours continues to thrive, offering exceptional experiences to its clients.
Mr Samuel Sillato
Council Member
The GTA Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Joe Muscat
CEO
Mr. Joe MuscatCEO
He is one of the founder members of the Gozo Tourism Association, and has served on the Association’s council since its inception in 1999. Throughout these years he has been successively endorsed up to 2010, as General Secretary of this Association which represents the diverse sectors of the tourism industry on the island, ranging from accommodation, to catering and other establishments offering various tourist services.
As Vice- Chairman of the Gozo Regional Committee (GRC), Joe Muscat currently sits as one of its representative on the Maltese Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD).
Presently Joe Muscat is also a Director on the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) Board, appointed as the person representing the Gozitan tourism sector, Director on the recently appointed Gozo Regional Development Authority (GRDA) Board and member on the Dwejra Steering Committee.
GTA Representatives on various Committees
Malta Tourism Authority (MTA)
Mr. Joe Muscat – Director
Gozo Action Group Foundation
Mr. Paul Scicluna – Secretary
Dwejra Steering Committee
Joe Muscat – Member
Gozo Regional Committee (MCESD)
Mr. Paul Scicluna – Member
Mr. Joe Muscat – Vice Chairman GRC
Mr. Konrad Scicluna – Member
Ms. Pauline Spiteri – Member
Vis Med Net
Mr. Konrad Scicluna – Member
Mr. Amand Verranneman – Member
GRDA Stakeholder Consultative Group
Mr. Joe Muscat – Member
Mr. Konrad Scicluna – Member
Għal Għawdex
Mr. Paul Scicluna – Member
Mr. Joe Muscat – Member
ICAD Representative (Gozo Region)
Mr. Joe Muscat – Member
Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD)
Mr. Joe Muscat – Representative of GRC
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