Visit Maldives returns to ITB Berlin after three-year hiatus

Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives) has returned to ITB Berlin after a three-year hiatus following the Covid-19 pandemic.

ITB Berlin 2023 is being held from March 7-9.

The Maldives’ ITB delegation this year is the largest one so far in MMPRC’s history, with 233 representatives from 91 companies.

MMPRC also hosted a dedicated ‘Maldives Media Meet’ press conference on Tuesday and an exclusive ‘Maldives Evening’ networking event for trade professionals on Wednesday at Grand Hyatt Berlin, on the sidelines of the fair.

ITB Berlin is the largest travel trade exhibition in the world showcasing over 10,000 exhibitors and visited by over 160,000 visitors including the travel trade and public. The fair covers all aspects of the travel and tourism sector including destinations, tour operators, airlines, hotels, bloggers and several other stakeholders from the industry.

The destination Maldives is proudly showcased with a double-decker stand in a space spanning over 504 sqm at the Berlin fair, providing visitors with a glimpse into the breathtaking Sunny Side of Life. Every aspect of the stand is thoughtfully curated to showcase the diverse segments of the Maldives' tourism industry, including romance, seascapes, and cultural experiences, among others.

The stand boasts 91 counters and 73 dedicated tables that offer industry partners the opportunity to engage in productive meetings and network with the global travel trade. The vibrant and colorful stand features a range of unique experiences, including cultural performances such as traditional Maldivian dance, and gastronomy experiences that offer visitors a chance to sample Maldivian delicacies such as kulhi roshi and foni roshi.

“As soon as you step into the hall, the Maldives’ stand calls you through its sheer magnificence and beauty. The stand alone makes you want to visit Maldives! It is as if you have carried the vibrance and world-famous hospitality right into Berlin. I had a wonderful time networking with the Maldivian travel and tourism trade. I also tried a kashikeyo drink for the first time, and I can say for sure that I’m flying to the Maldives for more this year,” said a visitor to the Maldives’ stand.

“ITB Berlin is all about networking. Not only do we get to network with the global travel trade community, we also get to network with one another in the industry. The islands of the Maldives may be dispersed, but when we are all under the same roof at the Maldives stand, I can feel the strength and vibrancy of the Maldives travel trade community,” said an industry partner.

The ‘Maldivian Evening’ on Wednesday brought together German and international travel trade partners, media representatives, dignitaries, and other stakeholders for a night of networking, celebration, and expression of gratitude from the Maldives’ for the support provided to its tourism industry. With 600 attendees, the event showcased traditional Maldivian dance and music performances, and offered the chance to win exciting prizes such as all-inclusive free trips to the Maldives, all while providing a glimpse into the Maldives' rich culture, heritage, and history.

The German market is one of the most lucrative markets for the Maldives tourism industry. Germany was the fourth highest source market in 2022 with an arrival figure of 133,424 tourists comprising a market share of 8 percent.

And as of February 28, 2023, Germany is the fifth top source market to Maldives with an arrival figure of 22,995 with a market share of 6.6 percent. 2023 is shaping up to become a significantly successful year for the Maldives tourism industry with record-breaking daily arrival figures. Maldives has welcomed a total of 350,413 tourists be February’s end, a remarkable 24.8 percent increase compared to the same period in the previous year.

This year marks the first year that the Maldives is taking part in ITB Berlin after winning the title of the ‘World’s Leading Destination’ at the World Travel Awards for three consecutive years - garnering a lot of interest, attention, and curiosity from the international travel trade community.

MMPRC said the ITB Berlin provides the perfect opportunity for them to demonstrate why the Maldives is the world’s hottest destination.

Along with our industry partners, we will network with the German and international travel trade, share the latest updates on our tourism products and experiences, conduct one-on-one meetings in-person and virtually, and strengthen the Maldives’ brand in the German and global market, said the corporation.