Watch: Abela Says New Direct New York Flights Will Boost Quality Tourism During Vineyard Visit

Prime Minister Robert Abela has hailed Malta’s continued economic growth while highlighting a new direct air link between Malta and New York as part of the country’s push towards attracting more quality tourism.

Speaking during a visit to boutique winery Markus Divinus, Abela said tourism remains the backbone of Malta’s economy and stressed the importance of improving connectivity with new international markets.

The Prime Minister announced that Delta Air Lines has started operating direct flights between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Malta International Airport, with services running three times a week. The first flight is expected to land in Malta tomorrow.

Abela described the new route as another step towards attracting higher-value visitors to the islands, particularly from the United States, one of Malta’s fastest-growing tourism markets.

The visit came days after Malta received positive assessments from the European Commission, Eurostat and S&P Global, with government officials pointing to strong economic growth and fiscal performance.

During the visit, Markus Divinus founder Mark Borg explained how he has spent more than two decades cultivating vineyards with farmers across Siġġiewi, Rabat and Dingli to produce local wines.

Today, the boutique winery produces around 6,000 bottles annually from vines that, in some cases, have been cultivated for more than half a century.

Borg highlighted the growing demand for gastronomic tourism, saying Malta is increasingly attracting travellers seeking authentic food and wine experiences.

He noted that many of these visitors come from the United States, making improved connectivity through direct flights particularly significant for businesses operating within the hospitality and tourism sectors.

Video credits to @robertabela.mt

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Gabriel Falzon

Gabriel Falzon is a social media executive at Lovin Malta, with a keen interest in digital media, local businesses, and the natural world. Outside of work, you’ll often find him baking up a storm, diving into video games, or exploring the endless corners of YouTube.