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Tourism promotion activities yield positive results for Maldives
Dubai, UAE – One of the main concerns of some of the tourism sector entrepreneurs is that the Maldives is not promoted adequately. According to them, it can be done more vigorously. Similar comments were heard from some exhibitors who participated at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), the Middle East’s largest tourism fair now underway in Dubai.
On the other hand, the state-run marketing company Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), which promotes Maldives as a tourism destination, also has concerns. The agency do not have that kind of budget. This has always been a complaint by MMPRC.
Despite additional challenges, MMPRC’s efforts have yielded very good results, said Thoyyib Mohamed, managing director of the company. At a press conference titled, Maldives Media Meet, held on Tuesday as part of the ATM fair, Thoyyib highlighted this to foreign journalists with statistics and numbers.
“The foundation of this success lies in the changes in marketing approaches made during the pandemic. With these changes, we are now able to move gears rapidly to different markets,” said Thoyyib.
The Maldives is one of the first countries to reopen its borders during the Covid-19 pandemic. The border was closed in March 2020 and reopened in July 2020. Thoyyib said the opening of the border in such a short span of time also led to positive results.
“At the end of last year, we were able to overcome the pandemic completely. Last year, we were able to attract tourist numbers that were only 2% lower than the record arrivals in pre-pandemic 2019,” Thoyyib said.
While the Maldives borders have been opened, the borders of other countries (especially major local tourism markets such as China) remained closed. MMPRC’s search for other markets was overshadowed by the start of the Russia-Ukraine war last year.
“Everyone knows that 2022 was not going to be an easy year to find new markets. The crisis (Russia-Ukraine war) in Eastern Europe had a huge impact on the number of tourists coming from countries in those regions,” Thoyyib said.
“We are grateful for what we have achieved despite these challenges. We have been the World’s Leading Destination for three consecutive years since 2020. We won the World’s Leading Tourism Board award last year.”
Pandemic taught new tricks
Thoyyib said that with the pandemic, MMPRC had learnt that they cannot stay in the comfort zone too long. With the lessons learnt from Covid and the changes that have been brought about by it, MMPRC can now work more closely with the tourists, he said. This has resulted in social media campaigns that have been customised separately for each market. If needed, they change their campaigns in a single day the way they want to.
“With major markets like China shutting down and eastern European markets facing challenges, we were able to shift our focus to completely new markets. The newer markets that are now part of our tourist arrivals will testify to our success,” Thoyyib said.
“In the last three years, altogether new markets have seen tremendous improvements in comparison to our traditional ones. It is heartening to note that one of these markets is in the Middle East.”
Thoyyib said:
- Far-flung markets such as Brazil have seen significant gains
- Small markets in Eastern Europe have expanded over the past three years
- During this period, changes were also made in the way the country is marketed; from virtual activities on various platforms to physical events that are currently being attended by visiting places
“When we started participating in physical events, the costs went up. However, these platforms have made great progress,” Thoyyib said.
“It is because of the strength of our marketing that we have reached this milestone in tourism today. Last year alone, we had more than 178 different marketing activities around the world. More than 5.2 billion people were reached through these activities. The reach generated by our PR agencies across the world is more than 1.2 billion.”
2023: A promising year
After describing the work done last year, Thoyyib shared the results of the first quarter of this year. The results show, he said, “it’s been a promising year.”
“There has been an increase of 21% in tourist arrivals in the first quarter of this year ascompared to the same period last year. During the same period, tax revenue from tourism increased by 28%. As a small island nation with few sources of income, it is important to serve the masses and invest in the future,” Thoyyib said.
“With these positive numbers, the rapid growth in the economy has also been sustained. So the trajectory shows that this year’s results are going to be good.”
The Global Wellness Institute (GWI), a leading non-profit research organisation for the global wellness industry, announced a strategic collaboration with JOALI BEING, marking the Maldives as the 11th country to feature on GWI’s Geography of Wellness platform. JOALI BEING, which opened in 2021, is a pioneering wellbeing resort designed around biophillic principles and focused on delivering transformative, holistic wellness experiences.
The Maldives, as an island economy, has emerged as a premier destination for luxury wellness tourism and spas. The country’s wellness economy comprises two major segments: wellness tourism, valued at $1 billion following an impressive annual growth rate of 35.4% from 2022 to 2023, and the spa sector, valued at $448 million, with an exceptional 63.7% growth rate over the same period.
Through this collaboration with JOALI BEING, GWI has made detailed data on the Maldives’ position within the $6.3 trillion global wellness economy accessible to stakeholders interested in investing in the country’s expanding wellness tourism and spa industries. GWI’s chair and CEO, Susie Ellis, emphasised that by sponsoring the Geography of Wellness report, JOALI BEING is playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of wellness tourism in the region. This collaboration aims to help the Maldives capitalise on the rising demand for wellness travel while maintaining competitiveness in the evolving wellness tourism sector.
Özgür Cengiz, global director of wellness development at Gürok Tourism Group, which operates JOALI BEING, expressed pride in the partnership with GWI. Cengiz highlighted the Maldives’ long-standing association with luxury and natural beauty and noted that the collaboration integrates data-driven wellness insights to enhance its global appeal. By aligning offerings with emerging trends such as nature connection, eco-wellness, and transformative travel, the initiative seeks to attract high-value travellers while promoting sustainability and community development.
The Maldives, spanning 1,192 islands across 26 atolls, is celebrated as a quintessential island paradise with jewel-like islands, white sands, turquoise waters, and luxury wellness resorts. Nature-centred wellness experiences, including encounters with vibrant coral reefs teeming with sea turtles, manta rays, and whale sharks, highlight one of the world’s richest marine ecosystems. The Maldivian way of life fosters a deep connection to nature, with a diet rich in tropical fruits, herbs, and fresh seafood contributing to holistic wellbeing. Environmental sustainability remains a key priority, with government-led initiatives aimed at protecting coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds to ensure harmonious coexistence with tourism.
The Maldives’ traditional healing practice, Dhivehi beys, combines indigenous plant-based remedies with global influences to restore balance within the body. Emphasising harmony among the body’s ‘humours’ of hot, cold, and dry, Dhivehi beys uses natural herbs for healing. The government has recognised its cultural significance and is actively integrating this ancient tradition into tourism, allowing visitors to experience it alongside the country’s natural beauty.
The Global Wellness Economy: Maldives report provides critical data for industry stakeholders and is available for free download.
The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) is a nonprofit organisation recognised as a leading global research and educational resource for the wellness industry. It introduces major industry initiatives and hosts regional events to unite leaders in shaping the future of wellness. GWI aims to improve global health by educating institutions, businesses, and individuals on preventing disease, reducing stress, and enhancing overall quality of life, with a mission to empower wellness worldwide.
Bandos Maldives recently announced the commencement of the Festive Season with a grand evening featuring the traditional Jolly Mix and the ceremonial lighting of the Christmas Tree. This event marks the beginning of a magical holiday celebration on the island.
Guests can enjoy the spirit of the season through a variety of festive activities planned daily. The lineup includes engaging activities for both children and adults, meaningful coral planting experiences, a traditional Maldivian feast, and thrilling land and sea games. These events are designed to create unforgettable memories for all visitors.
The tropical paradise of Bandos Maldives offers a warm and joyous holiday experience, filled with wonder and the true essence of the season.
Conveniently located just 7 kilometres from Malé International Airport, Bandos Maldives is a pristine coral island spanning 18.66 hectares in the heart of North Malé Atoll. For half a century, it has embodied its ethos as ‘the island of hospitality,’ making it a premier travel destination in the Maldives.
Set amidst the crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, the resort features 220 accommodations, along with three vibrant bars and four restaurants. Guests can relax at the Orchid Spa or stay active at the state-of-the-art Clubhouse sports complex, which includes beach volleyball, tennis, steam baths, a sauna, and a modern fitness suite. For diving enthusiasts, Dive Bandos, one of the Maldives’ longest-established dive centres, offers safe and thrilling underwater adventures.
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi has introduced an exciting new activity for ocean enthusiasts: Conservation Snorkelling. Led by the resort’s resident marine biologist, Mohamed Shah, this immersive experience allows participants to contribute to marine conservation efforts while exploring the vibrant underwater ecosystem of the Maldives. Combining education, exploration, and action, the initiative offers an enriching opportunity for visitors of all ages.
Participants engage in collecting critical data on coral health and fish populations using underwater fish guides, coral health charts, and writing slates, while learning to identify various fish species. They assess reef conditions and contribute to the protection of the local marine environment. The findings are then discussed with Mohamed Shah, providing deeper insights into the marine life of the Iru Fushi lagoon and house reef.
This activity is a key component of Sun Siyam Cares, the resort’s initiative focused on environmental protection and community support. Families, young couples, and other guests can participate in global conservation efforts through the Coral Watch citizen science project. The activity is open to strong swimmers aged eight and above who feel comfortable snorkelling.
“At Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, we strive to protect the stunning natural environment around us,” said Abdullah Atham, Resort Manager. “Through activities like Conservation Snorkelling, we encourage guests to explore and actively contribute to ocean conservation.”
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