Affordable travel options in Maldives have been showcased in Thailand.

Organised by budget airline AirAsia in association with its Maldives agent All H Maldives and local PR firm Maldives Getaways, the Maldives Travel Fair took place on Thursday at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thai capital Bangkok.

Exhibitors included leading guesthouses such as Shallow Lagoon in Alif Alif atoll Rasdhoo, Serene Sky in Alif Alif atoll Thoddoo, Plumeria Maldives in Vaavu atoll Thinadhoo, UI Inn in the satellite town of Hulhumale, Crystal Sands in Kaafu atoll Maafushi, Local Island Inn in Alif Dhaal atoll Handnaameedhoo and Jupiter Sunrise Lodge in Vaavu atoll Keyodhoo. Adaaran Resorts, which operates six properties in the Maldives, and Villa Hotels and Resorts, which runs five resorts, also exhibited their products at the one-day fair.

A similar fair was held in Malaysia earlier this month.

Malaysia-based AirAsia operates a direct daily service to the Maldives from Kuala Lumpur, while its joint venture Thai AirAsia runs a separate non-stop daily connection between Bangkok and Male. These airlines offer a low-cost option for travellers coming to the Maldives, especially from South East Asia.

South East Asia has posted strong gains in tourist arrivals to the Maldives, with a 19.3 percent increase in the first half of this year. The biggest gains were observed in the number of visitors from Malaysia (34 percent), Philippines (22.5 percent) and Thailand (18.9 percent).