Founder of SiGMA, Eman Pulis, has proposed Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq as the ideal location for a purpose-built expo centre in Malta, suggesting that the project should include a tunnel to alleviate traffic.
Speaking on the Ricky Caruana Podcast, Mr Pulis explained that this site offers a central yet unobtrusive option, being “sandwiched between St Julian’s hotels and Buġibba’s”.
According to Mr Pulis, selecting a location that minimises disruption is paramount. He suggested that the project should include a tunnel to alleviate traffic congestion between St Julian’s and Paceville, adding: “If we’re bringing an expo once or twice a month, what are you going to do? Have Malta jammed for six months of the year?”
Tackling cost inflation
Mr Pulis also highlighted challenges associated with hosting expos in Malta, particularly the inflation of prices during such events. He noted that hotels charging €100 per night typically hike their rates to €800, while catering and taxis quadruple their fees. “We try to absorb some of the costs so that people continue coming,” he said.
To counter these issues, he proposed integrating hotels and catering services into the expo centre. This would enable organisers to maintain more reasonable prices and make Malta a more sustainable destination for hosting international events.
These comments come in the wake of the 10th anniversary of SiGMA Europe, dubbed “the mother of all conferences,” which welcomed 27,000 delegates and 1,000 sponsors and exhibitors this year.
While the event celebrated its success, it also highlighted Malta’s logistical challenges, with heavy traffic in central areas bringing parts of the island to a standstill.
Looking ahead, SiGMA Europe will relocate to Fiera Milan in 2025, one of the world’s largest expo centres, offering extensive transport links and infrastructure. However, Malta will retain its position on the SiGMA calendar by hosting the newly rebranded SiGMA Euro-Med, which will take place at the Malta Maritime Hub from 1st to 4th September.
This shift aims to address logistical issues, including flight availability and traffic congestion during the academic year, while capitalising on September’s favourable weather for outdoor activities.
“The increased flight connectivity in September will also help attract more delegates from far outside Europe,” Mr Pulis remarked earlier this year in a LinkedIn post.
