The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) participated in the Kazakhstan International Tourism Fair (KITF) 2023, held from 19 to 21 April in Almaty.
A total of 24 co-exhibitors with 45 participants took part in the fair alongside MMPRC to strengthen the Maldives’ brand presence in Kazakhstan and establish the ‘Sunny Side of Life’ as a preferred destination for all potential holidaymakers.
One of the leading B2B fairs in the CIS region, KITF has been held since 2001. The exhibition serves as a platform for the tourism industry of the Central Asian region and is considered the top event for the sector in Kazakhstan.
According to the MMPRC, the Maldives was showcased with an impressive stand in a space spanning over 60 sqm. The stand provided visitors with a glimpse into the breathtaking ‘Sunny Side of Life’.
“Every aspect of the stand was thoughtfully curated to showcase the diverse segments of the Maldives’ tourism industry, including romance, seascapes, and cultural experiences, among others,” the MMPRC said.
A special raffle was held for the visitors to the Maldives stand, and 2 lucky winners won free holidays to the Maldives, sponsored by Bandos Maldives and Madifushi Private Island.
The Maldives also won a Recognition Award for its participation in KITF 2023, along with Italy, Almaty, and Jordan.
“Through this event, MMPRC and industry partners provided visitors with the latest information about the Maldives, making it an ideal platform for promoting the destination, our services, and offers. We promoted the products, experiences, and the segments of the Maldivian tourism industry,” the MMPRC said.
“We believe that participation in KITF 2023 was key to meeting potential collaborators and maintaining destination presence in the CIS region.”
The Maldives welcomed 2,995 tourists from Kazakhstan by the end of January. The CIS region is a significant region for Maldives’ tourism industry, with Russia holding its position as the top source market to the Maldives in 2023. Last year, the Maldives welcomed 238,951 tourists from the CIS market.
In addition to KITF2 2023, the MMPRC took part in the Moscow Dive Show earlier this year and has planned several marketing activities in this region to further promote the Maldives, including taking part in trade events such as LTM Moscow and DTM Kazakhstan, alongside other high-profile marketing campaigns.
