Visit Maldives takes part in WTM London 2021 with 58 industry partners

Visit Maldives has taken part in WTM London 2021 alongside 58 travel industry partners.

Held since 1980 – World Travel Market (WTM) is one of the largest and most important global events for the travel industry to meet industry professionals and conduct business deals. Through its vast industry networks and unrivaled global reach – the event helps create personal and business opportunities, providing customers with quality contacts, content and communities.

WTM is held as a hybrid event this year, with the physical event having taken place in ExCel London from November 1 to November 3 – and a virtual event set to take place the week after from November 8 to November 9. This is the first time in the WTM’s history that it is being held a hybrid event.

Visit Maldives took part in the physical event at London alongside 102 representatives from 58 local industry partners. They detailed that the purpose of partaking in this event is to connect and network with industry stakeholders, travel trade partners from across the world, especially the UK market.

Maldives was exhibited in a 609 square meter stand space; one of the biggest stand spaces to be exhibited in recent times. This platform was utilized to showcase Maldives as one of the safest destinations to travel to amidst the pandemic due to its unique geographical formation of scattered islands that allows natural social distance for travelers. It was also utilized to showcase the experiences that are available for tourists in the country.

In addition to this – resorts, hotels, guesthouses and liveaboards got to market themselves to travel trade and travelers. Latest destination information and travel guidelines were also emitted.

During the course of the event – Visit Maldives and industry partners conducted one-on-one meetings in person and virtually to promote individual products and properties. Approximately 150 industry stakeholders were met.

A press conference was also held as part of the event to further promote Maldives to a broader audience. MMPRC’s Managing Director, CEO Thoyyib Ahmed, Tourism Minister Abdulla Mausoom and Sun Siyam Resorts’ Executive Director Zuley Manik, were key speakers at the press conference.

On the last day of WTM – a special VIP event was held; which saw the attendance of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

In addition to this – Visit Maldives also held a roadshow in the UK to promote MICE opportunities available in Maldives.

In 2020 – WTM was held as a fully virtual event due to the constraints arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile in 2019 – WTM was held with over 5,000 exhibitors and reached more than 51,000 visitors. A total of 935,129 business meetings were held in the court of the event. It also saw the attendant of 3,000 members of international media.