The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) announced plans to hold a roadshow in India, aimed at boosting tourist arrivals from the country, which until recently has been the Maldives’ top source market. Speaking about the roadshow titled ‘Explore Maldives’, Ibrahim Shiuree, the managing director of MMPRC, highlighted the importance of the event in reversing the recent drop in Indian visitors and further strengthening relations between the Maldives and India.
The roadshow, a collaborative effort between MMPRC and Manta Air and scheduled to kick off at the Shanghai-La Hotel in Bangalore on 26 June, aims to draw a greater number of Indian tourists to the Maldives and facilitate direct engagement between Maldivian tourism stakeholders and their Indian counterparts.
Emphasising the importance of the Indian market, Shiuree noted that the roadshow would serve as a pivotal platform for Maldivian tourism entities to present their offerings and engage in meaningful discussions with leaders from the Indian travel sector.
“While India represents an expanding outbound travel market, it holds significant importance for the Maldives’ tourism sector. Through this platform, stakeholders within the Maldives’ tourism industry will be allowed to exhibit and promote their offerings. We have the opportunity to highlight the unparalleled natural beauty of the Maldives and fortify connections with the Indian market,” he stated.
The roadshow is set to feature the participation of 150 travel agents, tour operators, and tourism stakeholders from the Maldives, including some of the most renowned resort chains such as Universal Hotels, Sun Siyam Resorts, Villa Hotels and Resorts, AAA Hotels and Resorts, NH Collection, and the international brand Minor Hotels. These participants will provide insights into their tourism products, aiming to captivate the Indian market, said MMRPC.
The initiative comes at a time when the dynamics of the Maldives’ top source markets for tourism are shifting. While India was the leading source market in 2023, China has taken the top spot this year, influenced in part by the current administration’s stance towards India.