June 2009 - Virgin Atlantic’s Chairman Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson considers participation in the Malta Marathon next year.

Virgin Atlantic Airways (Virgin Atlantic Group) Chairman Sir Richard Branson met in Tokyo Mr. Shingo Endo, Sales Director of Step by Step International, which is World Aviation Group's Japanese market partner representing Air Malta in the Japanese market.  This encounter took place during Virgin Atlantic Airways celebration commemorating their 25^th year of their operations to Japan. During this social encounter Sir Richard shared a thought that he could be seriously considering participating in the Malta Marathon next year. 

 Around 5 years ago, Step by Step International,entered into an agreement with World Aviation Systems to represent Air Malta in the Japanese market.  World Aviation Systems, a subsidiary within World Aviation Group. Step by Step International through the continuous efforts of Mr. Shingo Endo has been extremely successful in promoting Malta as an attractive tourist destination in Europe through various marketing initiatives such as Cultural Tours and English Language courses.

The participation of Sir Richard Branson in the Malta Marathon next year might trigger an additional promotional initiative for Mr. Shingo Endo to boost up incoming tourism to Malta during the period of such event.