Introducing Jillian Mallia, Marketing Manager at AX Hotels Qawra, who shares her journey of walking the Camino Português.

“I have always been an outdoorsy person, loving various sports as a child and well into my twenties. So, when my Dad pitched the idea to walk the Camino Português together in 2020, I immediately jumped at the opportunity. Unfortunately, COVID decided to derail our plans a little, which pushed our trip to 2022. I believe in ‘things happen for a reason’ as the end of 2021 and most of 2022 was a tough period for me in my personal life, so embarking on this journey made it all the more significant. I needed to get out of my head and challenge myself with something a bit out of my comfort zone.”

“So, Dad and I trained for a few months, took part in the local Walkathon, got all geared up and then on Friday 27^th May 2022 it was time to jet to Spain to begin our 5-day 132km trek. The Camino Português is an official route of the Camino de Santiago, and a beautiful coastal one at that. It starts from Porto (hence its name) and finishes off in Santiago. All roads lead to Santiago, as pilgrims say, no matter where you start from. And to ‘prove’ that you actually completed the minimum 100km, you need to stamp your ‘Camino Passport’ along the way. Our journey consisted of five stops; starting from the beachside Baiona, to city Vigo, townscape Pontevedra passing through quiet Redondela, the little town of Caldas de Reis, followed by the country town of Padrón, and finally, the historic town of Santiago. Each day’s trek ranged from 18km to 35km and we had to battle various terrains and weather conditions. In the 5 days we were walking, we experienced extreme sunshine, cloudy weather, pockets of rain and full-on showers. But the one motto there is in such a trek is: don’t stop; rest if you need to, but don’t give up.”

“During the trek I had to push not only physically but also mentally to get to the much-awaited finish line. I remember on Day 2, which was our longest stretch (35km), I developed a very nasty blister on my left heel halfway through the day (apart from dealing with chronic tendinitis flare ups in both ankles and knees). The pain was excruciating but I couldn’t stop. We had to keep going because we had to get to our next accommodation before sunset. I vividly remember removing my gear to head into the shower and actually seeing the blister and I burst into tears. All I could think of was, ‘How am I going to manage another 3 days of walking?’ because at that point, we had about another 80km to go! My Dad patched me up and the next day we headed out early to give us enough time to get to the next destination while also taking it a little slower because of my condition. I had to adapt my gear and my pace to the situation.”

“The next three days weren’t without their challenges (including having to walk 15km straight in pouring rain on Day 4 and getting soaked to the bone!), but they were incredibly rewarding. Arriving at Santiago was an experience in itself. You come across people you met along the way and other pilgrims walking different routes. Walking into the church square gave me an indescribable feeling – you’re surrounded by fellow pilgrims who just completed a trek just like you. Rucksacks (weighing at about 5kg) are finally off our backs, and everyone is relaxing on the ground or taking photos to commemorate the occasion. There was a sense of unspoken community to end a beautiful journey. All I can say is, this experience was challenging, beautiful, difficult, messy, eye-opening and an experience I’ll remember forever. And – I’ve never been so relieved and excited to see a church in my entire life!”

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“Having to adapt in various weather conditions and taking into account my physical condition, together with pushing through physically and mentally has taught me to constantly persevere in whatever I do. And it has also taught me to take care of my mental wellbeing and to take time to rest when needed. I’ve always been an ambitious person, wanting to not only hit but exceed targets I set, and this has been a valuable lesson and life experience. As a woman in management, I approach anything that is thrown my way with courage coupled with perseverance to see projects through and conclude them with the best possible outcome. However, I’ve also learnt that if something isn’t quite going the way you imagined, it is important to take the time to regroup, brainstorm again and repropose.”

“They say life is a marathon, and you need to continue on, no matter what is thrown your way. The Camino truly taught me that – having to soldier on but also adapt conditions to improve the outcome. Keeping perseverance at the forefront and never giving up, while acknowledging and accepting when to adapt to different situations and change course to better the outcome is the key to success in my opinion.”

“As we say in the Camino Way, Buen Camino! – meaning ‘Happy Trails’ but I’ve come to interpret it as that no matter what life brings, I always remember that there is light at the end of the tunnel and to persevere to the very end.”

Our Business Centre employees recently participated in an engaging team-building activity organised by Outdoor Living. Out and about on a crime-solving mission in Valletta, employees from various departments united to showcase their problem-solving skills and team spirit.

The adventure concluded with a celebration at Cheeky Monkey in Valletta, where colleagues enjoyed refreshing drinks and delectable bites. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation and laughter as they relaxed, previewed photos of their adventures and celebrated the winning team.

This team-building event provided a fun and engaging break from the daily routine while reinforcing the importance of collaboration and communication in the workplace. AX Group continues to demonstrate its commitment to creating a dynamic and supportive work environment where employees can thrive both professionally and personally. Cheers to our detectives for their enthusiasm and dedication!

Value Creation is the term that defines how the organisation of a business’ resources, both tangible and intangible create value for stakeholders in such a way that the outputs exceed the inputs. Value Creation goes beyond profit.  It is about fostering stronger customer relationships, driving innovation and interacting positively with communities and the environment.

In financial accounting terms we look at shareholder value by measuring the changes in “shareholder’s equity” and “profitability”.

Stakeholder value goes beyond this because it recognises assets such as brands, knowhow, reputation, the knowledge held by employees, corporate strategy and how these effect and translate into value for a broad range of stakeholders including customers, owners, employees, regulators, suppliers, financial backers, communities and the environment.

A comprehensive picture of Value Creation requires alignment between many factors including business practices, tangible and intangible assets, material financial and non-financial capital risks, the corporate strategy, its engagement with multiple stakeholders, sustainability and governance.

How have we at AX embraced key elements in our Value Creation process.

We recognise that value is created through our business model and the manner in which we manage and deploy our capital.   We define our capital in a broad sense.  It goes beyond our equity and includes.

1. Our reputation
2. Our property developments and their associated business models
3. Our core values
4. Our intellectual property
5. Our brands
6. Our employees
7. Our commitment to sustainable practices
8. Our commitment to the environment
9. Our strong spirit of Innovation
10. Our Financial performance

All of these factors are interdependent and result from a thinking organisation that values its relationships with all its stakeholders.

As a business we recognise that we have strong interactions within the communities where we operate.   We understand that commercial activity has an impact on these communities not just in the visual aspects of our developments but also in the functionality of these activities.

In doing so we have set “building communities” as a core principle and value for the Group.  Our concept of development goes beyond simply building nice properties.  We strive to optimise the relationship of those properties within their physical context,  giving importance to a broad range of factors, their impact on the surrounding properties, traffic and people movement within and around the development, preserving key elements such as natural light and vistas, serviceability of the property etc.

Our current development at Verdala has replaced the old hotel with three individual blocks.  Two of these blocks are designed for residential use and one will be a hotel.  The old Verdala hotel had 200 guest suites and was visually intrusive on the Rabat ridge.  In redesigning the new development we have lowered the building height, broken up the building mass into three elements rather than one very large block, extended the street scape in between the two most prominent blocks so as to create vistas from the road to the ridge which previously was blocked by the old hotel, factored into the development extensive parking to minimise parking and traffic congestion, created piazza to form a central open space within the property and designed a much smaller hotel that will materially reduce the traffic impact within the area.

Our Hilltop Gardens Retirement Village was developed on the site of the AX Group’s former construction yard out of which the Construction company operated for many years.  Following the redevelopment of the site, we created a tranquil residential development.  We built just 55% of the site in order to create the right environment for the residents of the Complex.  We incorporated open spaces to ensure good light, ventilation, vistas and used some of the area for gardens and recreational facilities.  The operating business model of the Retirement Village and Care Home focus on Community through social and cultural activities thus creating a thriving and secure community.

The AX Group’s business model is a customer centric approach.  We believe in delivering value to our customers, enhancing loyalty and customer satisfaction, building strong brands, embracing innovation and technology to deliver our products and services as well as to enhance efficiency and cost management.

The AX Group has long had a strong presence on the Malta Stock Exchange and this has created a culture of accountability and strong governance within the Group.

Our reputation within our communities is valued and is reflected in the manner in which shareholders take up our financing instruments whenever we approach the market.

We have developed over 40 brands many of which are recognised as market leaders.

As an employer we strive to be an “Employer of Choice”.   This with a view to attracting the best talent, creating a positive work culture, retaining knowledge within the businesses, working in the multi-cultural realities and the opportunities this brings, minimising employee turnover, and optimising productivity.

It is the management of all these elements and objectives that have created the positive and strong business that is today’s AX Group.

At AX Group, progression is more than a possibility—it is a supported journey. With tailored training, internal promotion opportunities, and a culture of continuous learning, we’re committed to helping our team members grow and succeed. We find this to be essential for both individual growth and organisational success; but don’t take our word for it, here are a few words from two of our employees at AX Hotels Qawra.  

Anmol Kohli, Front Office Agent at AX Sunny Coast Hotel

After completing his Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management in India and gaining two years of experience at Burj Khalifa, one of the most renowned tourist attractions in Dubai, UAE, Anmol pursued his dream of working in Europe, joining the Security department of AX Hotels Qawra.  He later transitioned to his position as  a Front Office Agent, aligning better with his personal goals and interests. Anmol shares how the support received from his direct manager and HR was instrumental for his career progression and highlights how the interaction with diverse guests’ stories and challenges makes his role even more interesting and dynamic. “As a Front Office agent, I am responsible for managing inquiries, resolving issues promptly, and multitask efficiently. With the support given from my peers, together with the opportunities to enhance my communication and organisational skills, I successfully manage to navigate challenges and ensure a positive guest experience.”  

“Working hard is essential, but by seeking constructive feedback, embracing continuous learning and striving for growth, goals can be reached”, he positively asserts.  

Farhan Amin Jan – Housekeeping Supervisor at AX ODYCY Hotel 

Farhan Amin Jan, Senior Supervisor in the Housekeeping department at AX ODYCY Hotel in Qawra, has over 9 years of experience in managing hotel housekeeping operations. Known for his professionalism, vigor, and efficiency, Farhan is committed to contributing to his team, continuously learning, and enhancing his skills in guest service, customer relationship management, decision-making, and team building, to achieve new heights in his career. 

“In my first role as Room Attendant, I gained valuable experience, interacted with new people, and faced my first challenges in an unfamiliar environment, marking the beginning of my career growth journey.” Farhan shares. Through dedication, hard work with the right support from management and colleagues, he honed on his skills, observed new practices, and pursued opportunities for advancement. Within a year, his commitment and loyalty led to his promotion to a Team Leader which over time due to his consistent excellent performance and dedication provided a route to further promotions, eventually reaching the Senior Supervisory level across various chain properties.  

Farhan shares that “there are no secrets to success, it is the result of preparation, hard work and the will to learn from setbacks, turning them into opportunities for growth.  Network with other professionals. Be professional, patient, and persistent.” 

We grew up with big names like Oprah Winfrey, Stephen King, Christina Aguilera, Mark Wahlberg, and numerous others, including the notorious Albert Einstein, being mentioned among us and looked up at with great admiration. People that had the greatest successes! But guess what? None of them came out of their comfort zones. It happens that most of the time, those that have been most successful are the ones that faced the most adversity and the ones that managed to conquer those adversities with great determination and resilience. Unfortunately, people don’t realize this, as they cannot imagine the journey they would have had to go through to get to where they are today. People judge from where they stand because that is what they know. Which leads me to say that the more we go through in life, the wider our perspective becomes, if we are open to learn from them and allow them to change us for the better.

People that have been through hardship and have succeeded in life are the ones that just walked right through it. Felt every inch of that pain, took it all in, and managed to break it all down to the smallest fraction in order to process it all properly to be able to give it a new dynamic and a new shape to themselves. It is THAT that makes us become bigger people. To me, pushing those boundaries is what it is all about. It is only when we dare to challenge the norm will we discover the real inner strength that we have, and where it can take us. Restricting our mind and body will only restrict our possibilities.

What all this means is that if we are afraid to go out of our comfort zone, that’s exactly where we shall stay, leading us to an average life with a surely average result. Don’t expect anything great to come out of that. I was brought up with the philosophy of ‘no pain, no gain,’ and now that I’m all grown up, I realize how true that expression is. How can we expect extraordinary results if we don’t go the extra mile or two?!

I can comfortably say that I have been living out of my comfort zone now for the last twelve years. When I look back, I realize what a different person I was back then. I see a totally different version of myself. Still the same characteristics but much more dynamic, confident, bold, and fearless. Through my hardship, I have acquired skills that I would have never managed to accomplish had I not been through those difficult moments of adversity. Don’t wait for something major to happen in order to get to the depths of your true potential. Try with baby steps as a start. On a simple note, dare yourself to do something you have never done before and explore what that will lead you to with an open mind or dare yourself to do things differently rather than use the same tried and tested methods. Learning new things, meeting new people, seeing new places, and trying new experiences. What’s most important, however, is the next step after that. To see where that has led you. Stop to observe. Literally watch yourself as though you are watching from a different angle. See how applying a new way has led you to a better outcome or not and how that might have opened new horizons in different areas. Once you have identified that, it will help you witness growths as small or big as they are, that will give you the right dose of courage to take it further and dig deeper.

This continued process will lead you to completely different avenues than you once knew. It will give you a deeper understanding that there is so much more than what we are used to. It will give you perspective. Once you accomplish that, the roads for growth are endless. You realize that you can literally apply this to anything. The more you apply it, the more confident you become and the bolder your thinking process becomes. You have surely heard this saying before “we are what we have been through” and it is so right. Our mind is a machine and for that, I must add that it is the most powerful tool that we have. The more we feed it, the more it works but it can also work in the negative if we feed it negativity. On the contrary, if we feed it possibilities, it will give us numerous alternatives to allow us to reach our goals. The more we give it feedback, the more accurate the new alternatives/solutions to our challenges will be. Just like a muscle, it will become leaner and stronger. Don’t be afraid, allow yourself time to explore. I promise you it will lead you to roads you have never been through before, sceneries you have never seen before and scents you have never dared to smell. Build on it and shape yourself into the human being you want yourself to become. Please, enjoy the process. Don’t sabotage yourself. Do not panic or stress. It might give you some anxiety and insecurity, just be prepared and don’t let it overtake. Just acknowledge it and be conscious of it so you make your fears smaller than they really are. Be patient and remain optimistic, no matter the struggle. If your feet won’t allow you to make those steps for a few days or so, don’t worry, it is perfectly normal; we are humans after all not programmable robots yet, thank the lord. Just breathe it out and let yourself be BUT keep your mind focused because one day your mind will take you there. It will be waiting for the right opportunity. Just keep it in the back burner until it is ready. Then just trust yourself and go with it. Allow the flow to lead you the way.

If you are like me, I would want to know if I am on the right track or not. How will you know? Very simple… if you are not familiar with the ground you stand on and it makes you feel uncomfortable, you are on the right track. Congratulations, you are starting to exit your comfort zone 🙂 In theory, the more uncomfortable you are the more you are out of your comfort zone. However, always remain true to yourself. Is there still you in there? We don’t want to become somebody else, remember that. We love how we are; we just want to become fitter and stronger, so that doesn’t mean losing our souls. Remain loyal to who you are, in the process. Losing yourself will only lead you to confusion in the long term and to lose the whole plot.

Expand your awareness into the world of possibility. It is right there where your possibilities start to become visible, and your journey starts to be truly explored. Once you reach this stage, you have altered your state of mind for life. This, ladies and gents, is the greatest gift you can give to yourself in this one life that we have been given. You will never look back after that.