Maldives has participated in the Marine Diving Fair (MDF) in Japan.
In a statement, state owned tourism promotion company Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) said the destination is being showcased at a 24 square metre area at Stand: C-07. MMPRC is joined by three co-exhibitors from the tourism industry as well as the Maldives Ambassador to Japan Mohamed Hussain Shareef, it added.
The Maldives delegation is conducting social media related activities such as a photo-op with complementary prizes at the annual event, which is being held from Thursday to Sunday in Tokyo. Visitors are also being given the chance to have their names written in local Dhivehi language as well as to witness the underwater beauty of the Maldives through virtual reality.
Launched in 1993, MDF has become Tokyo’s leading marine fair with over 200 sellers from 50 countries participating in this year’s fair and an estimated 50,000+ visitors in attendance. MDF consists of underwater photography displays, talks and presentations. It will be promoted through various promotional channels in Japan which include online, media, newsletters and the monthly “Marine Diving” magazine which is the first ever dive magazine released in Japan since 1969 with a sizeable readership.
Japan has traditionally been an important source market for marine and scuba diving related travel to the Maldives. Japan is the eighth largest market for the Maldives in terms of tourist arrivals with a percentage growth of 1.7 percent at the end of 2016 representing 39,894 visitors.
MMPRC said MDF 2017 would be a platform to reach a large number of scuba diving and marine enthusiasts as well as high-value potential buyers and media representatives. Additionally, it is expected that participation will aid in strengthening the market presence of Maldives in Japan and South East Asia.
Ali Naafiz
