MATATO announces India roadshow across key cities

The Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO), in collaboration with Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC), the National Hotels and Guesthouses Association of Maldives (NHGAM), and the National Boating Association of Maldives (NBAM), has announced the opening of registrations for the second edition of the “Welcome India” Roadshow 2026. The event is scheduled to be held from 23 to 27 March 2026 across Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur.

The roadshow forms part of MATATO’s broader strategy to further strengthen India’s position as one of the Maldives’ most important and high-performing source markets. Supported by strong air connectivity, short travel times, and visa-on-arrival convenience, the Indian market has continued to show resilience and renewed momentum. Late-2025 trends point to a strong rebound, particularly in the luxury, destination wedding, and MICE segments. The selected cities reflect key centres of outbound travel demand, high disposable income, and growing interest in premium and experiential travel to the Maldives.

For 2026, MATATO has set a target of welcoming 300,000 visitors from India, reinforcing the market’s strategic importance to the destination. The Association has played a pioneering role in promoting the Maldives in India, having been among the first industry bodies to participate in major trade fairs such as OTM and SATTE since 2014. Over the years, MATATO has led multiple roadshows, familiarisation trips, joint advertising campaigns, and trade-focused initiatives aimed at expanding market reach and strengthening long-term trade partnerships.

The “Welcome India” Roadshow offers a dedicated platform for Maldivian resorts, guesthouses, liveaboards, and experience providers to engage directly with leading Indian travel agents, tour operators, and planners. The initiative is designed to support advance contracting, stimulate year-round demand, and help diversify bookings beyond traditional peak seasons, while promoting a wider range of Maldivian tourism products to the Indian market.

Participation is limited and will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis. The registration deadline is 15 February 2026, with early-bird discounts available to MATATO, VMC, NHGAM, and NBAM members for registrations completed by 31 January 2026.

The full participation prospectus and registration details are available at www.matato.org/welcomeindia2026 or via admin@matato.org. For further information, please contact Mohamed Bassam Adam, CEO of MATATO, at ceo@matato.org or +960 777 9413.