The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation participated in WTM Latin America as part of its strategy to open up new markets and boost tourist arrivals from the region.
The Maldives stand drew over 1,500 unique visitors during the three-day event in São Paulo, Brazil, which concluded on 7 April with a series of successful meetings and networking sessions, according to the MMPRC, which represented the destination together with 11 industry partners.
“Throughout this event, MMPRC and industry partners showcased the unique geography of our scattered islands, which facilitates natural social distancing for vacationers,” the tourism promotion company said. “We also got the opportunity to market our tourism products – resorts, hotels, guesthouses and liveaboards, and the Covid-19 measures in place in these facilities for the safety and security of holidaymakers in the Maldives.”
Maldivian officials held 25 meetings with Latin American travel trade and global travel professionals. One of the major B2B travel fairs for South America, the event offered business opportunities and access to relevant and qualified travel and tourism industry buyers, influencers, and professionals. More than 565 exhibitors from 40 countries took part with over 10,725 visitors attending in the first two days, an 8.7% increase from 2019.
Aside from participation in prominent fairs and exhibitions, the MMPRC’s marketing strategy for the Latin American market, especially Brazil, also involves dedicated campaigns on social and digital media platforms, webinars, and influencers and media familiarization trips. The Maldives welcomed 4,130 tourists from Brazil by the end of February 2022.
The local partners who participated in the fair included Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives; Resort Life Travel; Patina Maldives; Sun Siyam Resorts; Travel Connection Maldives; Intour Maldives; Sheraton Maldives Fullmoon Resort & Spa; Reollo Travel; Lily Hotels; Constance Moofushi Resort Maldives; and Lets Go Maldives.
