The deal will continue to see Mr Neville as a front-man for promotional campaigns, testimonials, image campaigns, and interviews in the United Kingdom, particularly in the Manchester region.  In return Air Malta will continue to be the major sponsors for the ‘Gary Neville Soccer School’ which was set up in 2001 to offer young English and Maltese football enthusiasts the chance to benefit from the footballer’s tutorship in Malta every summer and will be regular assisting with the travel arrangements of Mr Neville to Malta.

Gary Neville, who is a regular visitor to Malta, has developed a strong relationship with the islands since holidaying here as a youngster. He has returned every year, and own property on the islands.

Over the past seven years, the Neville/Malta partnership has proved to be a formula for success in the UK. Widespread and high profile media coverage has included a ‘Wish You Were Here ..?’ holiday programme on ITV, presented by Gary Neville himself, with an estimated audience of around 9 million viewers nationwide, as well as editorial features in the national and regional press.

Mr Neville has also been a popular presence on Malta’s stand at the ‘Manchester Holiday and Travel Fair’ at the GMEX centre in Manchester and at travel agent training workshops organised in Manchester by the MTA and Air Malta, in conjunction with the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA). He is also a key regular figure in MTA and Air Malta’s joint advertising campaigns in Manchester.

At a press conference to launch the agreement Brian Bartolo, Air Malta General Manager Marketing and Product said, “We are delighted to have such an enthusiastic and committed ambassador for Malta.  Gary’s contribution to promoting Malta as a tourist destination has been invaluable over the last years and we are greatly looking forward to building upon this relationship over the next two. This partnership has firmly established Manchester as one of our key source markets, and subsequently contributed strongly to the overall increase in visitor arrivals from the UK. The extension of the contract with Gary Neville forms part of the marketing strategy of Air Malta for the Manchester area.

Mr Gary Neville said, “I am proud to be associated yet again with Air Malta and Malta. Have been visiting the islands since childhood I have witnessed a steady improvement of the island’s tourism services. The island’s people, culture, heritage, sea and diversity are second to none and I am pleased to continue promoting the islands amongst my fellow citizen.”