The World Travel Market (WTM) London 2024, the leading international travel trade show, took place at Excel London from 5th November 2024 to 7th November 2024, with Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives) as a participant. As the most significant travel and tourism event in the world, World Travel Market London provides a special forum for the international leisure travel community to connect, exchange ideas, and advance business. This year, a robust delegation from 91 industry partners, including 217 representatives, represented the Maldives.
The Maldives booth, which occupied a large 650 square meter single-decker stand, featured three industry meeting areas, 75 co-exhibitor counters, 55 B2B meeting tables, and a traditional corner, all of which were intended to highlight the destination’s distinctive geographical features and experiences. Additionally, guests had the chance to explore the photo booth and annotate a special map in the stand with the Maldives locations they had visited.
Through one-on-one meetings, offering the most recent information on Maldivian tourist products, and giving stakeholders a platform to advertise particular properties, MMPRC interacted with top travel industry professionals from the UK and throughout the globe. By highlighting the geological structure of the islands, which inherently promotes solitude and privacy for tourists, the Maldives hopes to keep its position as one of the safest and most popular vacation spots.
As of September 2024, the UK was the fourth-largest source market for the Maldives, accounting for 125,016 tourist arrivals, or 8.5% of the total market. By completing initiatives like the “Discover Maldives” webinar series and multiple joint promotions with significant travel agencies, MMPRC has been actively marketing the Maldives to the UK public throughout 2024.
The launch of the global campaign “World’s Biggest Giveaway” and additional updates on the Maldives’ sustainable initiatives and appeal as a top vacation destination for UK travelers were covered at the “Maldives Media Meet” press conference held on November 5th, on the sidelines of WTM 2024. Mr. Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO & MD of MMPRC, led the Maldives Media Meet. Her Excellency Dr. Iruthisham Adam, the Maldives’ High Commissioner to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Mr. Abdulla Giyas Riyaz, the MMPRC Chair; Mr. Ibrahim Faisal, the Honourable Minister of Tourism; and Mr. Hussain Afeef, the Maldives Tourism Industry Pioneer and Vice Chairman of the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) joined him. In response to queries from the media present, the panelists at the Maldives Media Meet and Mr. Mohamed Khaleel, Advisor to the President on Tourism Development, participated in the Q&A session and offered insightful commentary.
The debut of Destination Addu at the Maldives booth, which celebrated the thriving local culture and the unspoiled beauty of Addu, was another highlight of the first day of WTM 2024.
