The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a U.S.-based agency to represent the Maldives for one year.

The RFP announced on 25 January that it invites eligible parties to submit bids for this project. The MMPRC is tasked with executing promotional and marketing activities to establish the Maldives as the most preferred island destination globally.

The selected agency will be responsible for developing and implementing public relations campaigns to position the Maldives as a preferred tourist destination, according to MMPRC. Additionally, the agency will monitor and report on the outbound market from the US, provide updates on tourism-related regulations, and report on promotional campaigns and other activities of potential competitors.

The RFP states that a bidder should have at least one registered office in the US and a minimum of 20 percent of the total 12-month retainer fee for the quoted price in their bank account. This RFP comes when the Maldives seeks to boost its tourism sector further, which is the main driving force of the country’s economy.

The Maldives has witnessed a steady increase in international visitor arrivals over the years. International visitor arrivals have risen from 42,000 in 1980 to over 1,878,537 in 2023.

The deadline for registration is 8 February, and an information session will be held prior to this date to address any queries potential bidders may have, according to MMPRC. The final date for bid submission is 22 February 2024.