MTA hosts Cross-Re-Tour event, €30,000 grants for green tourism SMEs

The Malta Tourism Authority hosted an international 'Show and Share' event this week as part of the EU-funded Cross-Re-Tour project, bringing together partners from eight countries to showcase green and digital solutions for tourism SMEs.

The three-day programme, which concluded with site visits across Malta, focused on accelerating private sector investment in sustainable technologies. The project runs from September 2023 to September 2026.

It supports small and medium-sized enterprises in transitioning to more sustainable and digitally advanced operations. Key areas include water and energy efficiency, plastic reduction, food sustainability, and mobility.

Carlo Micallef, MTA CEO, said: "Our tourism strategy is firmly anchored in building a more sustainable, high-quality model for the future. Through this Cross-Re-Tour collaboration with partners across eight countries, we are advancing projects that drive digital innovation while prioritising climate-friendly solutions. These initiatives are not standalone; they are being actively integrated into our industry, helping to transform it into one that is more resilient, responsible and focused on long-term value."

The event was attended by the European Union Project Adviser, consortium partners, and SME beneficiaries. It provided networking and technical workshops for practical adoption of technologies.

The project was implemented in three phases. The first identified challenges and developed a self-assessment tool. The second provided business advisory services, with 22 Maltese SMEs benefiting from expert guidance and thematic webinars.

The third phase introduced a grant scheme launched in November 2024, offering funding of up to €30,000 per project. In Malta, 10 SMEs were awarded funding, contributing to a total of 87 funded initiatives across all participating countries.

Tania Sultana, Head of Research at MTA, said: "At the Malta Tourism Authority, our strategy is to actively support SMEs in embracing digitalisation as a key driver of competitiveness and resilience. This is precisely why we participated in the Cross-Re-Tour project, through which a dedicated grant scheme enabled 10 Maltese companies to benefit directly. However, our commitment goes beyond funding. Today’s gathering brought together partners from eight countries, not only to showcase their projects but also to provide hands-on guidance through technical workshops, ensuring that knowledge transfer and practical implementation remain at the heart of this initiative."

For Maltese SMEs, the grants and advisory services offer a direct path to improve competitiveness and resilience. The project reinforces MTA's commitment to fostering a more sustainable and innovative tourism sector.