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Magical Malta comes under the spotlight
By Jeannine Williamson

It's been described as the Hollywood of the Mediterranean, providing the backdrop for blockbusters such as Troy and Academy Award winner Gladiator, and Malta was in the spotlight once again at the BGTW's very own red carpet event. Brad Pitt and Russell Crowe might not have been there, but guests supplied enough glamour of their own at the 2007 Gala Awards dinner.

In suitable showbiz style, one of the most famous addresses in town, London's iconic Savoy Hotel hosted the event for the 11th consecutive year and the evening got off to a sparkling start with the Champagne reception in the River Room. Welcomed by the gala awards' hospitable Maltese sponsors, 402 BGTW members, tour operators, destination representatives, PRs and industry guests mingled and caught up with the latest news and views on the eve of World Travel Market.

More than ever, the 2007 event was a feast for all the senses. Moving into the Lancaster Ballroom the aromatic scent of herbs on all the dining tables transported guests on a sensory journey to Malta.

The celebrations got off to a swift start with the prestigious BGTW Tourism Awards being presented early on in the proceedings, allowing winners and runners-up to raise a glass and leaving Guild members to bite their nails for a little bit longer before finding out if they were in the winning line-up.

The old adage concerning too many cooks was cast aside as the dinner arrived at the table. Tom Kime, executive chef of the Taste restaurant at Malta's Fortina Spa Resort had devised a special menu reflecting the many flavours of Malta, which was prepared by the Savoy's maitre chef de cuisine Jerome Legras.

It was then time to embark on a dining chair tour of Malta and speakers Chris Fenech and Sam Mifsud, respective director and chairman of the Malta Tourism Authority, presented a colourful and informative overview of the island. While it is justifiably famous for a history spanning 7,000 years, wonderfully preserved ancient architecture and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, they pointed out that Malta was often misunderstood as a holiday destination. Guests were also introduced to the island's wealth of contemporary attractions that appeal to all age groups and interests, including world-class, year-round dive sites, outdoor activities and a cuisine that draws on many cultural influences.

The proceeds from the 2007 raffle went to the Brooke Hospital for Animals, which runs community projects and provides free veterinary treatment for horses, donkeys and mules working in desperate conditions in the world's poorest countries. Chief executive Mike Baker gave a poignant summary of the charity's work and explained that many of the people they help earn less than £1 a day and rely on their animal for their entire income. More than half the world's population still depends upon animal power and it is estimated that the 650,000 animals the Brooke helps every year support as many as three million people.

The raffle, coupled with donations made after the event, raised just over £6,000. Sought-after prizes were a week's holiday on the island of Corsica, donated by Corsican Places; a week at a five-star country house in Devon that accommodates up to 21, courtesy of Helpful Holidays; three nights at Slovakia's eco-friendly AquaCity resort, donated by AquaCity; two nights at the Relais & Châteaux Château de Bagnols, courtesy of von Essen hotels; a seven night holiday with daily spa treatments at La Source Grenada, donated by La Source; a holiday in Oman, courtesy of the Oman Ministry of Tourism, Oman Air, Al Nahda Resort & Spa and Al Bustan Palace Intercontinental Muscat and, last but by no means least, a week's holiday with spa treatments and business class flights donated by the sponsors of the 2007 event, Air Malta, the Malta Tourism Authority and Hotel Fortina Spa Resort.

The biggest event in the BGTW calendar involves months of planning, preparation and meetings. It would be impossible to stage such an occasion without the generosity and kindness of our travel industry sponsors and organisers. So a huge thank you must go to dinner chairman Sue Bryant, John Bell, Peter Jolly, Mary Johns, Charlotte Copeman and her team, along with Alison Cryer of Representation Plus, Chris Fenech from the Malta Tourism Authority, Air Malta and Michael Zammit Tabone of the Fortina Spa Resort. Also to David Prest and Alison Rice, our charismatic presenters, and to Mary Anne Evans, our chair.

By the end of the evening - which went on into the wee small hours for some seasoned partygoers - everyone had experienced a real taste of the sunny island in the Med, and there was still more to come thanks to the mouth-watering contents of the goodie bags filled with wine and other Maltese treats. The BGTW is hoping to return the awards dinner to its spiritual home at the Savoy in 2009 and plans are in the pipeline for a venue for 2008. In the time-honoured journalistic tradition - watch this space.

We are currently seeking a sponsor for our 2008 dinner which will, as usual, be held on the eve of WTM and will present an unrivalled opportunity to communicate your message to over 400 travel media professionals. For further details or a sponsorship proposal, please contact dinner chairman Sue Bryant at sue@suebryant.eclipse.co.uk.