Visit Maldives partners with NHGAM and MATATO at ATF Dhaka 2024

The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives) is partnering with the National Hotel and Guest House Association (NHGAM) and the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) to promote the Maldives to the Bangladeshi market at the Asian Tourism Fair (ATF) Dhaka. This event, running from September 19th to 21st, 2024, highlights the Maldives as the prime partner country, with 37 representatives from 23 industry partners attending. Their focus is on promoting leisure and affordable luxury travel within Asian markets, particularly targeting the growing Bangladeshi audience.

ATF Dhaka serves as a platform for networking among private sector companies, organisations, and development agencies from across Asia. It facilitates connections between people, destinations, and countries. Beyond the core travel exhibition, which prioritises B2B and B2C interactions, the fair includes additional events such as sustainable tourism exhibitions, seminars, workshops, and cultural exchanges. Special features of this year’s fair include a community-based tourism mart and a tourism skills convention for industry professionals. The event’s timing, coinciding with World Tourism Day, adds further significance to the occasion.

The Maldives’ stand at ATF 2024 highlights the nation’s unique attractions, focusing on the variety of experiences, vibrant marine life, and natural beauty that have cemented the Maldives as the World’s Leading Destination. Visitors can enjoy traditional food tastings, and the stand emphasises tourism offerings centred on affordable luxury and family travel.

During the inauguration of ATF 2024, Zihuny Rasheed, Deputy Managing Director of MMPRC/Visit Maldives, spoke about the Maldives’ unique appeal and the importance of the Bangladeshi market. He emphasised that as a leading tourism destination, the Maldives is committed to showcasing itself as a premier travel choice. Rasheed highlighted the collaboration between MMPRC, NHGAM, and MATATO in developing innovative marketing campaigns and strategic partnerships that emphasise the beauty, diversity, and sustainability of the Maldives. The MMPRC team also presented to the Bangladeshi travel trade, detailing the country’s tourism offerings.

Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO & MD of MMPRC, noted that ATF Dhaka provides an excellent platform to engage with tourism bodies across Asia and promote the Maldives’ distinctive features. He reaffirmed MMPRC’s commitment to expanding its reach within the Bangladeshi market, positioning the Maldives as a top destination known for its natural beauty and world-class hospitality.

Visit Maldives’ participation in ATF for the first time reflects its dedication to strengthening its presence in key Asian markets, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. The event underscores the regional importance of this engagement. As of July 30th, 2024, Bangladesh had become the Maldives’ 14th largest source of visitors, contributing 18,843 arrivals and holding a 1.6% market share. Tourist arrivals from Bangladesh have grown by at least 38% this year, signalling the market’s resilience and potential for further expansion in the Maldives’ tourism sector.

Visit Maldives continues its efforts to promote the country as a premier travel destination through collaborations with NHGAM and MATATO. These efforts focus on sustainability, diverse experiences, and unparalleled offerings, positioning the Maldives as the ideal destination for travellers seeking relaxation, adventure, wellness, or romance.