PADI Instructors are Malta STARS!

Willem appears on the left and Martin on the right.

Martin Hall, Staff Instructor of Paradise Diving School, Malta, has recently been awarded as the Best Instructor for 2007 in the Malta Tourism Authority STAR Awards. His colleague Willem Weeseman, MSDT was runner up for 2007. This is a double success for Martin who also won the award in 2006. The award scheme is based on the number of votes received from tourists holidaying on the island.

In total, 19 stars were awarded during the ceremony which took place on the 20th February, at the Corinthia San Gorg, Malta. The awards are split into Service and Product categories.

During the event the Minister for Tourism and Culture, Dr. Francis Zammit Dimech commented that the Special Thanks and Recognition (STAR) scheme is an important initiative through which the MTA is able to give public recognition to all those who work in the tourism industry.

The Service award is totally consumer-driven and this year 14 people were awarded - this was the result of almost 6,000 nominations from tourists for over 700 different individuals. From among these, up to 4 finalists were short listed for each of the 14 STAR categories. The 14 STAR performers each received a certificate, an 18ct gold lapel-pin and €800 cash prize. The remaining finalists received a certificate and a cash prize of €150.

Well done to Martin, Willem and Paradise Diving School for their achievement!