Mimi Visheva will lead group and one-to-one training with agents, and will serve as the trade’s main point of contact with the tourist board.

Visheva brings in-depth knowledge of Malta to the role after studying in the country and working with the tourism authority’s UK operation for three years.

She will support agents with enquiries and training, working alongside trade marketing manager Natalie Swinburne. Together, they will oversee the organisation’s Malta Training Programme and the launch of a new series of training webinars to address the coronavirus pandemic.

“Due to Covid-19, the industry will continue to go through a challenging time," said Visheva.

"Through my new role, I am looking forward to sharing the knowledge and passion I have for Malta with agents across the UK and Ireland, leaving them prepared to answer travellers’ questions when it is safe to travel again."

Tolene van der Merwe, director UK and Ireland of the Malta Tourism Authority, added: “We are delighted to have adapted Mimi to her new role at Malta Tourism Authority.

"We are confident Mimi’s enthusiasm and expertise will enable us to drive our trade activity at a time when many require destination assistance and information.

"The creation of the trade trainer role highlights the important work the British travel agent industry undertakes for our destination, as the UK accounts for nearly a quarter of Malta’s visitor arrivals.”

Agents can join the tourism authority’s dedicated Visit Malta UK Trade Facebook group, while the training programme is available from malta-training.com.