Male’, Maldives, 01 August 2024 – The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives) is excited to announce a strategic partnership with the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) and the National Hotels and Guesthouses Association of Maldives (NHGAM) for the upcoming “Welcome India” roadshow series in India. This event, supported by 24 industry partners, aims to fortify the Maldives’ presence in the Indian market and strengthen tourism connections.
The Maldives delegation will be led by Mr. Ibrahim Faisal, Minister of Tourism, and Mr. Mohamed Khaleel, Advisor to the President on Tourism Development. As a premier business-to-business (B2B) event, the roadshow will bring together industry professionals from India, fostering excellent collaboration opportunities and reinforcing existing partnerships.
The three-day roadshow will visit top cities with direct connectivity to the Maldives, providing a platform to engage with Indian partners and showcase the Maldives’ unique attractions, including pristine beaches, luxurious resorts, guesthouses, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant marine life.
Mr. Ibrahim Shiuree, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of MMPRC, emphasized the significance of this initiative: “As of today, we have already welcomed over 65,000 Indian tourists in 2024, reflecting the enduring popularity of the Maldives as a dream vacation destination for Indians. We deeply value this partnership and are firmly committed to its continued growth and success. This roadshow is a testament to our ongoing commitment to strengthening ties with the Indian travel industry.”
Adding excitement to the roadshow, each event will feature a raffle giveaway, with holiday prizes sponsored by Kandima Maldives, Nova Maldives, Arena Hotels, Kaani Hotels, Villa Nautica, Sirru Fen Fushi, Holiday Inn Kandooma, and Alila Kothaifaru Maldives.
India remains a vital market for the Maldives, with 63,451 arrivals from India as of June 2024, representing a 6.2% market share of total tourist arrivals. To promote the Maldives in India, Visit Maldives has participated in significant fairs like OTM and SATTE 2024 and hosted renowned Indian model and influencer Niki Mehra for a familiarisation trip in May 2024.
Future plans for the Indian market include a campaign with Globalspa, featuring a photoshoot with celebrity Malaika Arora in August, and joint marketing efforts with Cleartrip and Pickyourtrail.
Visit Maldives is dedicated to showcasing the unparalleled beauty and unique experiences of the Maldives, striving to maintain its status as the World’s Leading Destination through diverse promotional events, campaigns, and collaborations.
