Local tourism industry veteran Taziana Grech passed away on Monday, on the same day of her 74th birthday.

The news of her passing was confirmed by Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection Clayton Bartolo on Tuesday, who stated that she “contributed greatly” to the tourism sector.

Ms Grech served as General Manager at Mellieħa hotel Ramla Bay Resort for almost two decades.

“She was a person that you enjoyed talking to and always worked for the good of the sector”, Minister Bartolo said, before adding that she always offered her advice.

Additionally, Ms Grech also served on the Board of Directors at Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) New Campus Ltd, the company formed ahead of the development of the new ITS campus in Smart City, Kalkara. During her time on the Board, she offered her experience so that the tourism industry could start the “path for this important investment for our country”, Minister Bartolo added.

He proceeded to thank her for the “sincere pieces of advice” she gave him, especially since he started serving as Tourism Minister, before expressing his condolences to her family.

Georges Bonello DuPuis, Managing Director at travel agency Air Tours Services Co Ltd, also took to social media to express his sadness at the news.

He stated that he first got to know her about 25 years ago when she “helped organise the famous Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC) weekend regatta” at Ramla Bay Resort. He added that the event was “always a highlight of the yacht club’s sailing season” where families and friends gathered to celebrate the end of summer.

Mr Bonello DuPuis remarked that Ms Grech and her team always made them “feel at home, away from home”, and was “always making sure that the sailing community was well taken care of”.