Online marketing and bookings were proving to be crucial as they highlighted the strategic relevance of how internet had revolutionised the travel and tourism industry, parliamentary secretary for tourism, Mario de Marco, said.

Speaking during a visit to Hotel Juliani in St Julians after it was awarded the Expedia Select Insider Award, Dr de Marco said that Expedia was one of the largest online booking engines in the world with some 85,000 worldwide hotels registered.

It was of great credit to the Maltese hotel industry that five Maltese hotels made it to the prestigious Select Insider List which features only one percent of the hotels listed.

He added that the fact that Hotel Juliani ranked 29th worldwide, and 11th in Europe, was of great merit for the owners, management and staff of the hotel.

Dr de Marco said that in view of the ever increasing relevance of the internet in the travel and tourism industry, the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) would this year be spending almost €800,000 in online marketing and advertising. These initiatives included banners and search engine specialised listings, as well as offers in conjunction with various airlines, tour operators and hotels.

He urged tourism operators to use the internet more taking advantage of the huge opportunities this has brought about.