M(U)TA: Malta And Football Giants Manchester United Launch Official Partnership
Attention all football fans (except Juventini)! From today onwards, ‘Visit Malta’ will be adorned around the iconic Old Trafford stadium, after the Malta Tourism Authority and Minister Konrad Mizzi announced a massive partnership agreement with footballing giants Manchester United.
So next time you’re in rainy Manchester, take a long around to feel that little touch of sunny Malta!
With a global fan base boasting a massive 1.1 billion people, Manchester United is one of the biggest and most successful clubs in the world.
Malta itself has a long history with Manchester United, with the country having the first and oldest official supporters’ club outside of the UK. Famed United manager Sir Matt Busby had even personally invited them to join the club’s family.
Kicking off 60 years ago in February 1959, the celebrations held earlier this year proved to be the first stepping stone from MTA acquiring its partnership with the football giant.
However, plans to find MTA a massive brand to partner with has been in the pipeline ever since Mizzi began working at the Tourism Ministry.
“We will now be able to consolidate our markets, while also looking to expand in as yet untapped global markets like Asia and the USA,” Mizzi said.
The agreement, which will see Malta become Manchester United’s official destination partner, will last for three seasons (kicking off from this year) and will see ‘Visit Malta’ adorned around Old Trafford on home games.
“Our dream was to partner with a world-class brand, and Man United was always an easy choice,” Mizzi explained.
First-term players and club legends will visit Malta after the coming years, working with the government on a variety of different proposals.
The MTA, Mizzi explained, will also be able to leverage Manchester United’s worldwide coverage, particularly on social media. All MTA logos will also proudly display the club’s iconic emblem.
Manchester United legend, ‘Captain Fantastic’ Bryan Robson spoke of the long history the club, and himself have had on the island.
The Msida apartment that belonged to Robson’s father-in-law was the first-holiday destination with his wife, providing long-lasting memories and regular visits for the couple.
Three first-team players, Juan Mata, Phil Jones, and Andreas Pereira, all attended the launch, with each of them heralding the incredible support for the club on the island.
“It’s a great partnership between our huge fan base worldwide and our old fan base in Malta,” Mata said.
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