In a dazzling display of the Maldives’ marine allure, the nation’s ‘Underwater Tunnel’ exhibit at the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2023 has emerged as the cynosure of all eyes, clinching the coveted ‘Best Stand Design’ award. This year, the Maldives’ pavilion was adorned with an exclusive ‘experiential zone’, a presentation area, and an ‘underwater tunnel’ walkway. This immersive experience showcased the enchanting marine life that thrives in the sun-kissed waters of the Maldives.

The stand, inspired by the breathtaking underwater vistas of the Maldives and the unique experiences and sustainability initiatives from the Sunny Side of Life, was a standout attraction at the WTM London. The ‘Best Stand Design over 150 m2’ award was accepted by Thoyyib Mohamed, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC).

The Best Stand Awards were adjudicated by an esteemed panel of experts, including Paul Richer, Senior Partner at Genesys Digital Transformation; Helen Roberts, a Leadership Coach; and James Campion, Head of Exhibition Sales at ExCeL.

“The stand’s multi-dimensional approach made the judges feel they really were in the Maldives, with standout features including a walk-through tunnel with under the sea scene, hanging fish, and beach huts,” said WTM. The upper level of the stand was a dedicated space for business meetings, further enhancing its appeal.

WTM London is a pivotal event in the global travel industry, uniting professionals worldwide to foster business deals and networking opportunities. Over the past four decades, the event has burgeoned, attracting approximately 5,000 exhibitors from 182 countries and regions and over 51,000 participants. It serves as a source of inspiration, education, and benchmarking for travel professionals while providing exhibitors with a platform to showcase their services to the international press.

From November 6 to 8, thousands of tourism professionals from around the globe converged on London’s ExCeL centre to share updates and rekindle relationships in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Known as the ‘most influential travel and tourism event globally,’ WTM London witnessed the participation of 181 delegates representing 93 companies from the Maldives, led by the MMPRC team.

The primary objectives at WTM London included networking with travel trade professionals from the United Kingdom and global partners, sharing the latest updates about the Maldives and its tourism products, and conducting in-person one-on-one meetings. These interactions aimed to leverage the numerous networking opportunities at the fair to reinforce the Maldives’ reputation as a preferred holiday destination.