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New Responsibilities Related to Flights
(During one of the meetings betwen Alexia Savona and Daphne Debono, discussing the ‘Datamix Flights Suppliers’.)
During the month of December, members from the FTI Group Process Management team, Simone Gras and Florian Schulda, informed
FTIAS Limited that it will be entrusted with new responsibilities related to ‘Datamix Flight suppliers’ for FTI and 5vorFlug Companies.
FTIAS General Manager, Marouska Frantz, together with Operations Senior Managers, Natasha Saliba and Jacky Briffa, were all
involved in training sessions, at different intervals, with BigXtra Manager, Alexia Savona, and BigXtra Supplier Relations Officer,
Daphne Debono, spearheading the project. Training was spread over a period of three days and delivered at the SmartCity Malta offices
by two colleagues from the FTI headquarters Accounting team. FTIAS is already responsible for the invoice checking and payments
processes for the BigXtra ‘Datamix Flight suppliers’ and therefore it was possible for the training attendees to learn quickly by
assimilating processes based on experience. This was crucial because they were expected to take over this job with immediate effect.
03 / Company Newsletter / Company News - New Responsibilities Related to Flights
Meeting Point Malta New CFO
During the month of January, Meeting Point Malta (MPM) welcomed their new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), James Borg, to join the
Company’s management team.
James Borg started his career as an Accounts, Human Resources,
and Administration Executive with a chemical company back in
2008. Following that, he joined one of the most reputable furniture
manufacturers in Malta, C. Fino and Sons Limited, as a Stock
Controller, and then as an Accounting Executive with a
supermarket franchise in Malta. It was only in November 2014 that
he joined FTIAS Limited, as a Junior Accountant, with the Youtravel
section, and soon after promoted to Accounting Manager, with the
same section. Following his new position with MPM (another
Company forming part of the FTI Group), for the first quarter of the
year, James will have a dual role, with both Youtravel and MPM,
until handovers are over. Recently he also completed his
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
qualification.
James will be responsible for overseeing and managing MPM
Finance team. This includes monitoring the team’s performance and
productivity as well as supporting their development. Furthermore,
he will be overseeing the administrative, financial and risk
management functions to ensure that the presentation and
reporting of any financial documentation is accurate and in time.
“On behalf of all the management team, we would like to congratulate James in his new role and wish him the best
”of luck in his new position!
04 / Company Newsletter / Company News - Meeting Point Malta New CFO
Prestigious International Travel and Tourism Award
(Roula Jouny during the presentation of the prestigious International and Travel award.)
Roula Jouny, Chief Executive Officer of Meeting Point (MP) Hotels and
Chairperson of Meeting Point International (MPI), has been awarded the
‘International Travel and Tourism Award 2018’ for her outstanding contribution to
the industry. From one destination to 20, from one source market to over 50, all
in less than 10 years, MPI has become a leader in the Destination Management
Company (DMC) world. Roula has also led the massive growth of the Group’s
Hotels to 70 hotels in 12 different countries, with Corporate Social Responsibility
always on top of her agenda.
Roula was one of 10 candidates, and the only woman to be shortlisted for
this award. “It’s humbling and delightful to have been chosen from such an
impressive pool of individuals and companies. The work of all talented travel and
tourism professionals pushes us to work harder. I thank them for their ambition
as it fuels ours at MP Hotels and MPI.” concluded Roula Jouny.
To view the exclusive video created for this occasion, kindly click on the video on
the right.
05 / Company Newsletter / Company News - MP Hotels CEO, Roula Jouny, Receives Prestigious International Travel and Tourism Award
Malta
through From a LIBYAN Perspective
their Eyes
Q - Name & Surname? Q - What have you found most difficult to get used to, here in Malta?
A - Mohamed Bakoush. A - I don’t remember having any difficulties in Malta except for
the first year in the elementary school, since I was coming from a
Q - Country of origin? different educational system.
A - Libya. Q - What do you miss about your home country?
A - There are so many things that I miss about my home country,
Mohamed Bakoush Q - Position at MPI? mainly my childhood friends and food.
Youtravel Accounts A - Accounts Receivable Officer.
Swimming at Blue Lagoon, in Comino.
Receivable Q - Resides at?
A - San Ġwann.
Q - Hobbies?
A - Swimming, reading, listening to music, and watching motor sports.
Q - Favourite Cuisine?
A - Italian and Indian cuisine.
Q - What attracted you to relocate to Malta?
A - My family moved to Malta when I was a child, and since then I
have been living here, and also studied business administration.
Q - If you could change anything in Malta, what would it be?
A - More attention to the environment and planting more trees.
Q - What do you love about Malta?
A - The fact that you can go everywhere in so little time, the beaches
in summer, and the sun days throughout the year.
06 / Company Newsletter / Malta through their Eyes - From a LIBYAN Perspective
NEW STAFF MEMBERS (Nov - Jan) AbWoealrcdom:)e
Abdilla, Rachel Azzopardi, Michelle Bonnici, Althea Caruana, Federica Caviedes, Andrés Dadouch, Lucienne
FTI Supplier Relations MPI Supplier Relations Youtravel BigXtra Supplier Meeting Point North Controlling
Invoice Processing
America
Delia, Neil Ebejer, Lynn Falzon, Rachel Farrugia, Jean Claude Gerada, Jurgen Kucsorka, Tamás
BigXtra Supplier FTI Supplier Invoice HR and Corporate Systems Process MPI Accounts MPM Operations
Invoice Processing Communications Management
Processing
Marilat, Yaelle Sciberras, Noel Scicluna, Bryan Theuma, Chantelle Toth, Szabina Van Der Kooi, Patricia
Reservations FTI Supplier Invoice Meeting Point North MPI Supplier Relations HR and Corporate Contracting and
Communications Trading
Processing America
(Due to the nature of their work, it was not possible for Mariana Cassar (MPI Accounts) and Ruth Sawers (MP Human Resources), to have their photo taken.)
07 / Company Newsletter / Family Matters - New Staff Members
The Annual New Year BBQ
(From Left to Right: Bernice Taliana, Nadine Pulis, and Ritianne Formosa, during the barbecue.)
January is usually characterised by cold weather, cloudy days, and a lot of rain…but our Sports and Social Committee (SSC) is also known
for organising the most awesome barbecue ever, to kick start their yearly activities. During the evening, there was good food (we never
disappoint in this regard ), good music, and last but not least good company…and this is all it took for everyone to enjoy themselves. It was
great to see all those staff members for this event, even though the weather was a bit hostile. However, the mulled wine, prepared with love
by the SSC team members, played a key role in keeping everyone warm during the night.
Plenty of activities are on the agenda of the SSC for the coming months, following the feedback received through the survey circulated
recently, so stay tuned for more details.
Looking forward for many more good laughs and nice memories with you all.
08 / Company Newsletter / Sports & Social Committee - The Annual New Year BBQ
COMING UP NEXT
“Tombla & Pizza Night!”
...”il Friday a1nd5nthineF, esibxtyrunitAnaoenr.b.y.eBe.vINmeGnisOts!neodt!
pastaza” six
SSC More dseotoanil!s out
Spor ts & Social
Co mmittee
Meet the FTIAS Accounts
Team
• What are the main responsibilities of this department? Our department is mainly responsible for the accounts and the day-to-day
administration of FTIAS Limited. However, we also take care of FTI Holdings Malta Limited (being a small holding company having investments
across the FTI group) and FTI Cruises Limited (a company owning a cruise ship).
• What are the main functions of the department? Our main functions range from receiving and posting invoices to preparing monthly
management accounts for the three companies mentioned above. Besides that, the team issues sales invoices (for the services offered to
inter-companies), prepares payments for suppliers (for the general expenses incurred by the company), coordinates salary instructions to the
Company’s bankers, responds to various emails, and other administrative tasks.
• What are the top job skills needed to form part of this department? The most important skill required is teamwork and good communication. All
three of us rely on each other to achieve the best result, as our individual work is interrelated. Another important job skill which is also a necessity is
adhering to deadlines. Whether it is for reporting or payment purposes, being on time is of utmost importance.
• How many members are there in the department?
The team is made up of three members: Laura Andrejeva,
Gabriel Bonavia, and Hatem Hawash, with our office located
on Level 7.
• Can you specify their roles? Laura makes sure that all FTIAS Accounts team photo.
the bills, allowances and invoices are correct, approved and
posted. Also keeping records and reconciling all the work
done at the same time. She issues sales invoices for the hard
work all Company’s staff members have done every month
(by checking the timesheets), turning number of bookings into
amounts, and at the end invoicing inter-companies based on
the agreements done. Laura also takes care of the staff
members’ health and life insurance as well as the Company’s
building insurance.
10 / Company Newsletter / Meet the Team - FTIAS Accounts
Meet the FTIAS Accounts
Team
She is always happy to help and assist in her area of competence…and last but not least she also takes care of the singing in the department
(and not very well) .
Hatem’s main responsibilities relate to the three companies and these consist of budgeting and preparing payments for the different suppliers
we work with, liaising with these same suppliers, colleagues in Munich, and crew members of the cruise ship owned by the FTI Group, issuing
the management accounts for FTI Cruises and FTI Holdings, and preparing the management accounts for FTIAS. During year end, he is also
involved in providing audit requirements as requested by our audit firm.
Gabriel is responsible for helping and reviewing the preparation of the management accounts for the three companies. He also supports
management with the budgeting and forecasting of the company for the following year. Apart from this, Gabriel also handles daily administrative
tasks such as various emails and requests, mostly regarding FTIAS. He also makes sure that tax obligations and other important deadlines
LAGLUANGUANAare met in a timely manner.
7A 7B 7C
Lounge
(Floor Plan Level 7.)
11 / Company Newsletter / Meet the Team - FTIAS Accounts
Contributors Meet Charlene
to Success
Charlene Xuereb Personal Information
FTI Supplier
Rates Control • Name? Charlene Xuereb.
• Position at FTIAS? Rates Control Coordinator.
• Resides at? Mgarr Malta.
• Hobbies? Playing and listening to music, collecting
stamps, swimming, and taking photos.
• Favourite Cuisine? Mediterranean Cuisine.
Career Information Charlene, third from left, during her
sister-in-law’s birthday celebration in 2017.
1. What made you choose FTIAS? When I finished my BTEC Higher National
Diploma in Business course at MCAST I started to search for my first full-time
clerical job and FTIAS was the first company to offer me a job.
2. Your experience at FTIAS? Back in 2007 I started with the Company as an
Invoice Processing Clerk with the FTI Supplier Invoice Processing team.
Following that, an opportunity had risen with the FTI Supplier Rates Control (SRC)
team and I was chosen for the position. At that time, I was mainly responsible for
the daily inputting of the accommodation special offers rates. In 2008 I got
promoted to Technician level and in 2011 to Officer level. Throughout the past ten
years, which were a great learning curve for me, I have gained enough knowledge
to work on all destinations and services. This has enabled me to be part of several
process enhancements within the FTI SRC team.
12 / Company Newsletter / Contributors to Success - Meet Charlene
Contributors Meet Charlene cont...
to Success
3. Describe your main responsibilities at FTIAS? As a Coordinator, my main responsibilities include supporting the Section’s Team Leader
in planning, coordinating, and monitoring the day-to-day tasks of the section, whilst also delivering on-the-job training for other team members.
Besides that, I support colleagues in Malta, Munich, and Switzerland with any technical issues related to the section’s processes and systems.
a) What do you enjoy the most? Due to the nature of the industry we work in, I enjoy learning new processes and tasks and being able to pass
that same knowledge and experience to other colleagues.
b) Most difficult aspect of your job? Finding a balance between reaching the team’s deadlines whilst also keeping a happy environment within
the team.
4. How do you imagine your life in five years’ time? II am not the kind of person who likes to plan that far ahead. However, I see myself still
working at FTIAS and on a personal note, I would like to travel to Australia for a few weeks to visit my brother and sister-in-law.
From Left to Right: Charlene, her mum (Doris), and her brother (Chris), swimming with the dolphins, at the Mediterraneo Marine Park in 2014.
13 / Company Newsletter / Contributors to Success - Meet Charlene
Company It’s All About Coincidence!
Interests
I have been a Liverpool supporter since I
was six years old, and a common
question I get when I talk about football
is, ‘How come you support Liverpool?’
Yes, people find it strange that I support
Liverpool, as during my childhood, the
most successful teams at that time were
A.C. Milan and Manchester United.
Robert Zammit
Reporting and Debt The truth is that I started to support
Collection Liverpool by chance. Back when I was a
child, my family owned a grocery shop, and one day while there,
I saw the phrase scribbled on one of the merchandise boxes
saying ‘Liverpool Kings of Football Forever’.
So yes reader, you are right! If instead of Liverpool there was
written Man United, Milan, Sheffield Wednesday, or Bebbux
United, today I would not be writing about Liverpool .
But fate wanted that Liverpool would be written, and Liverpool it From Right to Left: Robert Zammit and Stuart Farrugia, colleague and friend, for
has been till this day. I have to say it has been a bumpy couple Liverpool’s league match, against Tottenham Hotspurs which they won by two goals to nil.
of years as a supporter. I have cheered witnessing Liverpool
win a couple of honours, but the truth is that my biggest wish as
a supporter is that I witness Liverpool win the Premier League,
and return to the good old glory days that the Football Club
deserves. Will it be this year?..........
14 / Company Newsletter / Company Interests - It’s All About Coincidence!
FTI Group The largest TV advertising campaign in the history of FTI
News
FTI has recently launched what can be considered, as at today, the largest television
advertising campaign in the history of FTI Touristik. The campaign, which advertises
supreme flight packages with prime terms and an early booking discount of up to 50 percent,
was launched on RTL 2, VOX, and Sport 1 television stations. In conjunction with the
television ads, there are also radio spots, billboards, social media, and online advertising.
In the current wintry conditions, many are already dreaming of their next holiday in warmer
temperatures. With this campaign, FTI Touristik wants to show all their customers that it
pays to book holidays that early, because they can save up to 50 percent on the travel price.
It is interesting to mention that the television commercial for this campaign was produced
by ‘BDA Creative’ a very high profile company, with some of its clients being Amazon Prime
and Red Bull. For those interested, the spots can also be seen on FTI Touristik’s YouTube
channel or by clicking on the right.
(Who wouldn’t feel like going on vacation
when seeing this? A picture from the current television commercial.)
15 / Company Newsletter / FTI Group News - The largest TV advertising campaign in the history of FTI
FTI Group Meeting Point Hotels Awarded the Booking.com Award
News
Eleven Meeting Point hotels, located in four different destinations, has been awarded the Booking.com award 2018. The awarding programme
recognises hotels for their first class hospitality, according to review scores left by guests after their stay. Enough said…and the FTI Group Hotels
who have won this prestigious award are:
Turkey
Design Plus Seya Beach Hotel (Alaçatı),
LABRANDA Alantur (Alanya), LABRANDA Loryma
Resort (Marmaris), LABRANDA Mares Marmaris
(Marmaris), and MP Hotels Senses Hotel
(Bodrum).
Egypt and
LABRANDA Gemma (Marsa Alam)
LABRANDA Tower Bay (Sharm el Sheikh).
Greece
LABRANDA Blue Bay Resort (Rodos),
LABRANDA Miraluna (Rodos), and LABRANDA
Sandy Villas (Korfu).
...and last, but surely not least, our Maltese
colleagues at…Malta LABRANDA Riviera Hotel
and Spa
(On the Left: A glimpse of
some of the award-winning hotels.)
16 / Company Newsletter / FTI Group News - Meeting Point Hotels Awarded the Booking.com Award
COMPETITION
CORNER
Credits
Special Thanks FTIAS . Meeting Point International . Meeting Point Malta
Kevin Paris Chief Executive Officer
Alexander Barbara Newsletter Co-ordinator / Editor
Christine Apap
Mohamed Bakoush
Gabriel Bonavia
Rachel Falzon
Marouska Frantz
Katharina Frick
Sports & Social Committee
Szabina Toth
Charlene Xuereb
Robert Zammit