Business
Visit Maldives hosts first post-reopening physical destination presence at MITT
Visit Maldives is taking part in Moscow International Travel Trade Show (MITT), making it the first physical destination presence since the border reopening mid last year.
Held from March 16-18 in Russian capital Moscow, MITT is the place where destinations and travel trade professionals from all over the world meet travel agents and tour operators from Russia and CIS region.
Twenty-three representatives from 12 industry stakeholders are taking part in the fair along with the Visit Maldives team.
“The purpose of taking part in this three-day fair is to maintain and strengthen the destination presence in the Russian market and establish Maldives as the top of the mind destination for Russian travellers. Russian market has been one of the top performing markets since the reopening of Maldives border to international travellers on July 15, 2020,” a statement issued by Visit Maldives read.
“Visit Maldives aims to achieve targeted growth for various tourism products and enable a platform for industry partners to present their products to the market.”
Visit Maldives along with industry partners are presenting the products and the unique experiences available in the Maldives at a 148.6sqm dedicated destination stand in Pavilion 1.4.
The unique geographical formation of the islands is being highlighted in the Maldives stand through the use of pictures, 360° virtual images and videos. Videos are displayed at a stand via a touchless sensor, assuring the visitors that Maldives is one of the safest destinations to travel and the destination fits today’s traveller’s needs.
A raffle is conducted together with the organisers of MITT and at the end of the event a lucky winner will get a complementary holiday in the Maldives. The raffle is sponsored by Reethi Beach Resort for five nights for two persons.
“MITT provides the opportunity to meet and update the travel trade in Russia with the latest information on Maldives, including but not limited to the stringent health and safety measures put in place to combat the spread of Covid-19,” Visit Maldives said.
“In addition, the fair offers the opportunity to gain new partners and clients among visitors representing the travel trade and maintain present relationships.”

In 2019, MITT saw the participation of 22,289 travel professionals, as well as 1,523 exhibitors from over 200 countries.
In order to attract more visitors to the Maldives stand and increase brand visibility, a banner is placed in a prime location at the main entrance showcasing the beauty of the destination.
Coinciding with MITT, Visit Maldives will host roadshows in four Russian cities from March 21-26. The roadshows will be held in Moscow, Kazan, Saint Petersburg and Ekaterinburg.
Along with Visit Maldives, 20 companies with 34 participants will take part in the roadshow to further strengthen the destination presence and relationship with trade partners.
The Russian market is currently one of the top performing source markets, with 40,698 visiting the Maldives from the Russian region so far in 2021.
Four daily flights connect Russia and the Maldives with direct connections offered by Russia’s flag carrier, Aeroflot.
Several initiatives are underway to market the destination in Russia. High impact campaigns such as media familiarisation trips have been conducted earlier this year, with more planned for the upcoming months.
Visit Maldives is also conducting a global campaign targeting Russia in collaboration with Expedia. The collaboration with Expedia is one of the many high-impact global campaigns planned for the year.
Visit Maldives is currently carrying an educational and training program targeted to the Russian travel trade with Association of Tour Operators in Russia (ATOR).
Maldives reopened its borders for tourists of all nationalities on July 15, 2020, with rigorous procedures in place to ensure the safety of tourists and tourism workers.
Tourists are required to fill an online health declaration form within 24 hours prior to their departure, as well as have a negative PCR test result, conducted 96 hours prior to their departure.
On February 1, Maldives launched its vaccination programme, and the government aims to provide free Covid-19 vaccine to all citizens and residents of Maldives.
The tourism ministry has also launched an initiative to inoculate tourism workers to develop an even safer scenario for the industry.
“The initiation of the vaccination drive is bound to offer hope to the local population, as well as ensure the safety of tourists. This conveys the message that Maldives is a low-risk destination for travellers and will hopefully generate a surge in tourist arrivals,” Visit Maldives said.
According to data published by the tourism ministry, the Maldives has welcomed 200,871 tourists so far this year.
Business
BBM Hulhumalé Phase 2 opening promotion winner receives Honda Airblade
Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) has presented a brand-new Honda Airblade motorbike to the winner of a lucky draw held to mark the opening of its newest wholesale outlet in Hulhumalé Phase 2.
The outlet, located at Lot 20286 on Nirolhu Magu, opened on 16 February 2026 as part of BBM’s expansion of its wholesale operations.
To celebrate the opening and thank customers for their continued support, BBM introduced a special lucky draw exclusively for customers who made purchases from the new outlet on its opening day.

Customers who purchased products during the opening were eligible to enter the draw, with a Honda Airblade motorbike offered as the grand prize.
The lucky draw was conducted on 13 August 2026, with Ibrahim Shifaz of Vagthun Vaguthah outlet selected as the winner.
Shifaz was recently presented with the ceremonial key to the Honda Airblade by AVS Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer of Bestbuy Maldives.

The promotion formed part of BBM’s activities surrounding the opening of its Hulhumalé Phase 2 outlet, which provides customers with access to the company’s range of wholesale products from the growing residential and commercial area.
Bestbuy Maldives is a supplier and distributor serving businesses across the Maldives, including customers in the hospitality, food service and retail sectors.
Business
Football legends receive FIFA World Cup 2026 match balls signed by President Muizzu
Male’ Aerated Water Company (MAWC), the authorised bottler of The Coca-Cola Company in the Maldives, on Thursday hosted the Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Match Ball Handover Ceremony, presenting Football Legends of Maldives with official FIFA World Cup 2026™ match balls signed personally by Dr Mohamed Muizzu, President of Maldives.
Held in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness, the ceremony recognised former national footballers whose achievements, service and influence have helped shape football in the Maldives and inspired generations of players and supporters.
The Coca-Cola Company has been an official partner of FIFA since 1974, making it one of the longest-standing partnerships in the global sport. For MAWC, the handover brought that global partnership to life locally by connecting the FIFA World Cup with people who have contributed to Maldivian football history.
As the sole authorised Coca-Cola bottler in the Maldives for over 35 years, MAWC has supported local sport through partnerships, campaigns and community initiatives. The ceremony continued that commitment by recognising the legacy of players who represented the Maldives and contributed to the growth of football in the country.
“Maldives’ football legends have given generations of supporters moments of pride and have played an important role in shaping the country’s sporting history. At MAWC, we believe recognising their contribution is as important as supporting the next generation. Through our partnership with Coca-Cola and FIFA, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness, we are honoured to celebrate their legacy. These match balls are a token of our appreciation for what they have given to Maldivian football,” said Milind Derasari, Chief Operating Officer, MAWC.
Adding to the excitement of the football season, MAWC ran a nationwide FIFA World Cup 2026™ consumer promotion from 21 March to 24 May 2026. Eight winners received an all-expenses-paid experience for two to attend a FIFA World Cup 2026™ match. Hundreds more won Coca-Cola branded merchandise and other prizes during the campaign, bringing the excitement of the world’s largest football tournament to consumers across the Maldives.
MAWC remains committed to building partnerships that support the development of sports across the Maldives, working with the Government of Maldives and other partners.
Business
Coca-Cola Maldives launches World Cup-themed promotion
Coca-Cola Maldives is turning up the excitement with the launch of its 2026 football campaign, bringing fans across the country a season packed with prizes, shared moments and exciting ways to celebrate the game together.
As the build-up to the FIFA World Cup 2026 begins, Coca-Cola Maldives is inviting consumers to join in the fun with a campaign built around everything that makes football special: the anticipation, the matchday thrill, the watch parties, the celebrations and the memories made along the way.
From March to May, consumers in the Maldives will have the chance to take part in the Coca-Cola Maldives FIFA World Cup 2026 promotion, with weekly prizes, branded merchandise and a grand prize experience linked to one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
As part of the campaign, Coca-Cola Maldives is rolling out the UTC Promo from March 21 to May 24, giving consumers even more ways to be part of the football excitement. Special promotional packs will feature a unique code either under the cap or under the tab, depending on the product format. For 500ml, 1.25L and 2L PET bottles, codes will appear under the special Golden Caps on Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta Orange and Fanta Strawberry. For 330ml cans, codes will appear under the tab on Coca-Cola. Consumers can enter by sending the code via SMS to 2626 for the chance to win a range of prizes throughout the campaign period.
The promotion will run across 330ml cans as well as 500ml, 1.25L and 2L PET bottles, making it easy for consumers to join in whether they are picking up a drink for themselves, sharing with friends, or stocking up for a matchday gathering. With multiple participating brands and pack formats included in the promotion, Coca-Cola Maldives is creating more opportunities for consumers across the country to take part in the campaign and enjoy the football season together.
At the top tier, eight winners will receive an all-expenses-paid experience for two to watch a FIFA World Cup match live, creating a once-in-a-lifetime football moment. Under Tier 2, 60 winners will receive Coca-Cola branded mini-coolers, while 120 winners will take home Coca-Cola branded football-shaped personal coolers. Under Tier 3, 180 winners will receive Coke and FIFA branded footballs, adding even more play and energy to the season.
Adding a live moment to the excitement, the first set of winners will be announced on ICE TV on April 6 at 9pm, with winner announcements continuing every week throughout the promotion. This weekly reveal is set to bring an added sense of anticipation and shared excitement as the campaign unfolds across the Maldives.
The campaign is designed to bring fans closer to the game and make every football moment even more enjoyable. Whether it is watching a match with family at home, catching the action with friends at a café, or picking up a favourite Coca-Cola pack from a neighbourhood store, Coca-Cola Maldives aims to be part of the moments that make football season unforgettable.
“Football has a way of bringing people together like nothing else, and that is what inspired this campaign,” said Mario Perera, Country Head for Sri Lanka and the Maldives. “In the Maldives, the game is enjoyed in such a lively and social way, and Coca-Cola Maldives wanted to create a campaign that feels fun, relevant and easy for people to be part of. It is about celebrating the season, enjoying the experience with others, and giving fans something extra to look forward to.”
Adding to the excitement, Coca-Cola Maldives will also launch collectible country packs in the Maldives from May to July, giving fans the chance to celebrate the global game in a new way. Inspired by some of football’s most recognised nations, these limited-edition packs will bring a colourful and collectible twist to the season.
Across the Maldives, Coca-Cola Maldives will work with retail partners to bring the campaign to life through in-store visibility, promotional touchpoints and selected local activations that capture the spirit of football and community.
“The Maldives is a unique market, and Coca-Cola Maldives wanted this campaign to connect with the way people here enjoy football, together, with energy, and with a real sense of occasion. Coca-Cola Maldives is excited to bring that spirit to life in the months ahead,” added Mario Perera.
This marks the start of Coca-Cola Maldives’ 2026 journey in the market. With more fan moments, more excitement and more ways to join in still to come, Coca-Cola Maldives is looking forward to celebrating the football season with consumers across the country.
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