The Maldives is set to strengthen its presence in the Middle East tourism market as the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) gets underway tomorrow in Dubai, with Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) completing preparations for the country’s participation.
The four-day tourism fair will be held from September 14 to 17 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, with 165 representatives from 74 Maldivian tourism companies joining VMC at the event.
Speaking to PSM News in a special interview, VMC Managing Director Abdulla Yasir said preparations were in their final stages and that the Maldives stand had already been completed.
He said representatives from resorts, guesthouses and other businesses operating within the tourism industry will take part in the fair, which is regarded as the largest tourism exhibition in the Middle East.
“We are now making the final preparations for the fair. Work on the Maldives stand has also been completed. Despite the challenges, we believe we are fully prepared for the fair. We hope that, despite the situation facing the Middle East, we can fully promote Maldivian tourism through the fair and benefit from doing so,” Yasir said.
The programme will include business-to-business meetings, providing Maldivian tourism companies with opportunities to engage directly with international travel partners and expand business ties.
VMC also plans to sign memoranda of understanding with major aviation and tourism companies, including Qatar Airways, Emirates and Dnata, described as the largest tour operator in the Middle East.
The Middle East remains an important source market for the Maldivian tourism industry, with official statistics from the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation showing that more than 80,000 visitors from Middle Eastern countries travelled to the Maldives last year.
Authorities expect participation in ATM to further strengthen the Maldives’ visibility in the region and help attract more visitors from Middle Eastern markets.
The government also sees the event as an opportunity to expand international partnerships and support continued growth in the country’s tourism sector.
