Even though Malta has always been home to retired expats, the success of industries like iGaming have attracted thousands of younger foreigners to live and work on its shores.
ExpatsMalta was first created by British/Kiwi couple, Will Leader and Sarah Smith, as a "social event network" for foreigners working in Malta. Since then its website www.ExpatsMalta.com has enjoyed rapid growth and it has now joined forces with Malta Gold to launch a membership card especially for expatriates.
John Pressgrove, publisher of Malta Gold said: "We are excited about the new co-branded ExpatsMalta/Malta Gold card. ExpatsMalta members will now enjoy not only the fantastic offers of a regular Malta Gold membership, but also the extra privileges exclusive to ExpatsMalta members."
Costing just €20 annually for an individual membership, the card offers invitations to MaltaExpats events and exclusive offers. This is combined with a multitude of other exclusive offers from Malta Gold, from straightforward money off one's bills, to other free gifts and discounts, which makes experimenting with different bars, restaurants, hotels, hairdressers and spas, as well as shopping, more cost effective.
"You also get your first ExpatsMalta event at half price, and all the rest thereafter at an unlimited 10 per cent reduction. There is also a special corporate offer to companies who can buy the card for their staff at a reduced cost," ExpatsMalta managing director Will Leader explained.
Members can keep updated on new events and offers via the ExpatsMalta website, or they can join the forum and receive a weekly email. ExpatsMalta also runs weekly events and the popularity of these has led to ExpatsMalta providing corporate events to online gaming companies such as Gnuf, who had their summer party organised by the ExpatsMalta events team on Comino.
Robin Hoyle, managing director of Gnuf said: "Everything was managed well, from the boats to the barbecue to the music, and ExpatsMalta even established a wi-fi network for us! This attention to detail enabled everyone to relax and have a great time. ExpatsMalta proved to be the perfect hosts".
To offer professionally managed events, ExpatsMalta now has a membership and events manager, Nadia Berkoun, a French national residing here. Ms Berkoun, who speaks five languages, said: "We are an ideal team to organise events like these because, being expatriates ourselves who move and work in those circles we know exactly what requirements the companies and their employees have. Also, with the average expat salary being more than double a local wage, we are an extremely attractive group for local advertisers." Ms Berkoun can be contacted for all event and membership enquiries on: nadia@expatsmalta.com or 9939 7287.