The Maldives’ tourism sector is taking centre stage at the ITB China 2024 fair with a delegation of over 100 representatives from the Maldives’ tourism sector, according to the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC). The ITB China 2024 fair, renowned as a B2B-exclusive trade show catering to the Chinese travel market, is hosted from 27 to 29 May at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Centre in Shanghai.

The Maldives’ tourism sector stakeholders, represented by over 100 delegates, are actively promoting 45 diverse tourism establishments at this year’s fair, the MMPRC said. Notably, the Maldives is participating as an Official Partner Destination of the fair, using this platform to showcase the vibrant Maldivian cuisine to visitors.

It encourages trade and media connections, driving tourism growth and facilitating the circulation of the latest Maldivian tourism offerings through one-on-one interactions with regional and global travel partners, said MMPRC.

China currently stands as the principal source market for the Maldives. Over 95,000 Chinese tourists have visited the Maldives since the beginning of this year, constituting 11 percent of the total tourist arrivals.

The MMPRC has been actively engaged in various endeavours to bolster the Maldives’ position as a premier tourism destination, it said. These efforts include forging partnerships with leading global airlines, organising familiarisation trips, and executing diverse marketing campaigns abroad.