The island of Malta has seen substantial growth in its tourism economy, and as a result, hotel developments are following that growing demand.

A recent summit held by the World Travel & Tourism Council on the island heard that Malta’s tourism GDP grew by 16.8% in 2025, the fastest in Europe. During 2026, travel and tourism is expected to contribute around USD4.9 billion to the island’s economy, accounting for 16.9% of the country’s total GDP. At that scale, the sector also supports around 20% of the island’s employment.

Backed by Global Investors

Members of WTTC will between them invest around USD2 billion in Malta, reflecting confidence in the expected further growth of the island’s tourism sector. That spend will be spread across accommodation projects, connectivity, and the development of experiences for international arrivals to the island.

“This commitment reflects the confidence our Members have in the Government of Malta and the country’s extraordinary potential,” said Manfredi Lefebvre, chairman of the WTTC. “Bringing global investors together in Valletta provides a unique opportunity to translate dialogue into action, and these commitments demonstrate that Malta is firmly on the radar of the international Travel & Tourism investment community.”

Tourist arrivals were up 12.9% in 2025 at just over 4 million international visitors, with an average length of stay of 6.3 nights, according to Share Malta. For 2026, official estimates put the figure at between 4.5 million and 4.6 million.

Hotel developers, and international hotel brands, are taking note and reacting with new hotel developments, upgrades and rebranding of existing properties. Hard Rock has just opened its first hotel, a 397 room new build property in St George’s Bay. And in contrast, Romegas Hotel Valletta has just 23 rooms and has been created from a 500 year old property in the city.

During 2027, IHG will be launching its Ruby Hotel Malta, bringing the lifestyle brand to the island in a novel format. As with many Ruby projects, this will be a repurposing of existing property. In this case, the 88 room hotel will be created from a row of historic buildings along Valletta’s Strait Street.

IHG is also planning to bring its Six Senses luxury brand to Malta, with a development on the smaller island of Comino. This 90 room property will revitalise the site of the former Comino Hotel, offering guests great sea views.

International Brands Arrive

Both Minor Hotels, and French group Accor, have hotels in development for launch into the market during 2027. NH Collection Sliema will sit on a site around 10 kilometres outside Valletta, and has been designed as an urban resort. The hotel will feature 181 rooms, a spa, pool and rooftop bar with great views across the island.

Accor’s presence on the island will increase with the opening of the 98 room Tribe Malta, in late 2027. The property will again feature a rooftop bar, as well as co-working spaces.