Business
Maldives posts growth in tourist arrivals despite summer low

Maldives has posted a slight growth in tourist arrivals in May despite the traditionally low summer season.
Official figures for the month of May released by the tourism ministry show that a total of 93,491 tourists visited the Maldives during the month — a 0.3 percent increase over the 93,228 tourists in May 2016.
Travel trends and tourist demographics observed a slight change as well, as Europe joined China to post declines in arrivals in May.
Europe, the largest regional source market which has been recovering after a year of falling growth, posted a slight drop of 1.5 percent to reach 35,739 from 36,279 in May 2016. This decline is mainly due to a fall in arrivals from important European markets such as the UK (down 1.4 percent), France (down 5.5 percent), Germany (down 13.8 percent) and Spain (down 1.4 percent).
However, recovery in the Russian market was again evident as Russian visitors to the Maldives increased by 15.8 percent in May to reach 3,564 compared to the 3,077 in May 2016. Italy, a traditionally strong European source market which has been on the recovery after stagnant growth, also posted a 14 percent increase in May to reach 3,131 compared to the 2,746 in May 2016.
Asia, which has recently become a major emerging source market, continued its growth with arrivals from the region increasing by 3.3 percent. India, Maldives’ closest neighbour, observed a growth of 21.7 percent, while South East Asian countries such as Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand also posted significant gains; 22.7 percent, 21.8 percent and 27.1 percent respectively.
Relatively new markets such as Australia and the Americas also recorded significant growths in arrivals — 25.1 percent and 22.6 percent respectively — with arrivals from the US increasing by 19.8 percent, 16.3 percent from Canada and 45.4 percent from Brazil.
Middle East, however, recorded the highest decline since becoming one of the most important emerging source markets about a year ago, as arrivals dropped by a whopping 40.9 percent in May to reach 2,725 compared to the 4,608 in May last year. Arrivals from Saudi Arabia dropped by 60.5 percent, Qatar by 44.3 percent, United Arab Emirates by 19.6 percent and Egypt by 37.9 percent.
Worries concerning the Chinese market, which still remains the single biggest source market despite falling numbers for consecutive months, further worsened last month as well, as arrivals dropped by 7.1 percent to reach 23,225 from 25,005 in May 2016. Taking into account the latest decline, arrivals from China have decreased 9.1 percent in the first five months of this year compared to the same period of last year.
As arrivals from China drop steadily, the Maldives has recently announced plans to step up marketing in China in order to increase the number of Chinese tourists to one million per year.
According to the May statistics, total arrivals for the first five months of the year increased by 5.8 percent to reach 572,318 compared to the 540,887 in the same period of last year.
After years of double-digit growth in tourism, the Maldives has over the recent years observed a slowdown in growth despite double digit growth last month. Tourist arrivals have crossed the one million milestone and is on course to reach 1.5 million by the end of this year, but the country has been struggling to create demand amidst a significant increase in bed capacity.
However, the latest figures are a welcome sign for the Maldives tourism industry, which is the main economic activity in the island nation, as summer period has traditionally been considered the low season. To attract more travellers from May to September, resorts in the Maldives have announced special offers with hefty discounts and a host of other benefits.
Photo courtesy: Avas Online
Events
Maldives China Tourism Association announces first roadshow in China to boost tourism

The Maldives China Tourism Association (MVCTA), a non-governmental and non-profit organization dedicated to promoting tourism in the Maldives to the Chinese market, has announced its upcoming roadshow in China. Founded in 2023 and registered in the Maldives, the MVCTA aims to provide information about the Maldives as a destination to the Chinese public and strengthen ties between the travel industries of China and the Maldives.
The MVCTA’s efforts include participating in regional travel exhibitions and roadshows, advertising and promotions, organizing familiarization trips for the travel trade and media, and maintaining contacts with government tourism bodies, travel agencies, and associations in China. By working together with various stakeholders, the association strives to advance the Maldives’ travel and tourism industry and enhance the country’s tourism image in the Chinese market.
To further their promotional activities, the MVCTA is pleased to announce its first roadshow in China, scheduled to take place in September 2023. The roadshow will span four cities, namely Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Beijing, from the 15th to the 21st of September. This significant event aims to showcase the unique attractions and experiences the Maldives has to offer to Chinese travelers.
The MVCTA’s roadshow in China presents an excellent opportunity for Chinese travelers to discover the allure of this tropical paradise. As the association embarks on its inaugural roadshow, it anticipates a successful event that will contribute to the growth and development of tourism between China and the Maldives.
Following the resumption of outbound travel from China in January 2023, the Maldives has seen a significant resurgence in Chinese tourist arrivals. Prior to the global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, China held the top position as the leading inbound market for the Maldives. Although currently ranked as the sixth largest source market, Chinese arrivals have already accounted for 5.8% of the total tourist influx to the Maldives, with an impressive 48,668 Chinese tourists visiting by June 6th, 2023. These figures are expected to surge further in the coming years, as China’s appetite for international travel continues to grow, cementing its crucial role in the Maldives’ thriving tourism industry.
For further information, email to pr@mvcta.com
Business
TTM Travel Summit 2023 unveils exciting new concept with interactive, engaging workshops

Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) has introduce an elevated concept for the highly anticipated TTM Travel Summit 2023. Building upon 6 years of success, this year’s summit promises an immersive and engaging experience, focusing on interactive brainstorming sessions and workshops that will shape the industry’s future.
TTM Travel Summit 2023 boasts a dynamic lineup of sessions and workshops designed to encourage active participation from industry stakeholders. With keynote presentations by industry experts and collaborative brainstorming sessions, the summit will explore crucial topics essential for advancing the tourism sector in the Maldives.
Attendees can anticipate thought-provoking discussions on the future of aviation in the Maldives, exploring emerging trends and challenges that will significantly impact the travel industry. The evolving role of travel agents in the digital era will also take centre stage, emphasising the importance of adapting to changing landscapes and embracing new strategies.
Another significant focus of the summit will be marketing the Maldives to new markets, with experts sharing insights on diversifying tourism products. Furthermore, participants will gain valuable knowledge on media and content strategies for effective tourism promotion, unravelling the secrets behind captivating travel stories and engaging content.
TTM Travel Summit is an exclusive invitation-only event that brings together thought leaders, industry shapers, and senior decision-makers professionally engaged with Maldives tourism. By fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange, the summit aims to propel the industry forward and pave the way for a thriving future in travel.
Registration for the TTM Travel Summit will be open from 1st July onwards, and industry professionals are encouraged to secure their spot early to be part of this groundbreaking experience.
Taking place from August 22nd to 24th, 2023, TTM Maldives 2023 will feature TTM Connect Meetings during the first two days at Meeruma Conference Facility, followed by the TTM Travel Summit and the prestigious TTM Awards & Gala Night on the final day at CROSSROADS Maldives.
Business
Visit Maldives collaborates with SQ to showcase Maldives with familiarisation trip for Chinese market

Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/ Visit Maldives) concludes a familiarisation trip in collaboration with Singapore Airlines (SQ). The trip was held from 29th May to 4th June 2023. This familiarisation trip provided participants from the Chinese market with an immersive experience of the world-class Maldivian hospitality, focusing on affordable luxury and sustainability in the Sunny Side of Life.
The familiarisation trip commenced 31st May 2023, following the Visit Maldives Storytellers’ Conference 2023. It featured representatives from various publications and social media platforms, with a specific focus on the mass market. This trip generated extensive coverage that highlighted the unique geographical features of the Maldives and its one-island-one-resort concept, along with the exceptional experiences that have made the Maldives one of the world’s most sought-after holiday destinations.


With a estimated combined reach of 1,270,000, leading publications and platforms such as Travel+Leisure, City Traveller, Conde Nast Traveller 悦游, Voyage 新旅行, and 公众号:飞客 Flyer Tea provided coverage that reached a wide audience. During the trip, participants had the opportunity to engage with consumers on social media, share first-hand experiences of Maldivian hospitality through local life experiences, and promote the destination’s sustainability efforts. The trip showcased the range of unique experiences available in the Maldives, highlighting its position as a top destination and environmentally-friendly getaway. Through this trip, MMPRC aimed to not only reach a vast audience but also create a strong presence on various platforms and entice travellers to experience the unparalleled beauty and hospitality of the Maldives.

MMPRC aims to promote the Maldives as a safe and attractive destination for Chinese travellers through this activity. China has consistently been in the top 10 source markets for the Maldives in terms of arrivals pre-pandemic, and despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the market is showing promising signs of recovery. In the first quarter of 2023, 17,691 Chinese tourists visited the Maldives, and the Maldives aims to leverage its presence on various platforms to gain a competitive advantage over other destinations.
This familiarisation trip with Singapore Airlines is part of a broader marketing strategy that includes ongoing PR activities, social media promotions, joint campaigns with leading travel agencies, and more. MMPRC is dedicated to enhancing destination presence in the Chinese market and capitalising on the growing interest in travel opportunities post-pandemic.
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