Maldives showcases strong unified presence at Qatar Travel Mart 2025

The Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) is leading a strengthened national presence at Qatar Travel Mart (QTM) 2025, which opened on 24 November at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC). The association is heading the Maldives delegation as the organiser of the official country stand, in partnership with Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) as the Official Destination Partner and the National Hotels and Guest House Association of Maldives (NHGAM) as Strategic Partner.

The three-day exhibition, which concludes on 26 November, has drawn more than 300 exhibitors from 60 countries and is expected to attract around 12,000 visitors. QTM has grown rapidly in recent years, becoming one of the most prominent travel and trade platforms in the region.

At the event, the Maldives stand functions as a unified platform representing national tourism stakeholders. VMC leads destination branding and global marketing efforts, MATATO coordinates trade activity and B2B appointments, and NHGAM ensures guesthouses and local-island tourism receive visibility alongside resorts and destination management companies (DMCs).

According to organisers, the model reflects current tourism policy, which focuses on diversifying markets, strengthening yield and extending tourism benefits to inhabited islands under the Fifth Tourism Master Plan 2023–2027.

More than ten co-exhibitors are showcasing products and services at the Maldives stand. The delegation includes major DMCs such as Resort Life Travel, Neoscapes Maldives and Pearl Travel Service, all of which have long-standing business links with the Qatar and GCC markets. Ultra Luxury Maldives, specialising in private jet, villa and yacht travel, is also taking part, alongside resorts including Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort, which has reported strong demand from GCC family travellers.

The combined representation highlights a wide cross-section of the sector, from high-end resort stays and bespoke itineraries to locally operated guesthouses aimed at younger and experience-led travellers.

Industry data presented at the exhibition shows the strategic importance of the GCC region for the Maldives. Qatar’s outbound market alone accounts for approximately 1.9 million trips annually, with an estimated USD 13.5 billion in travel expenditure. The broader GCC outbound travel market was valued at USD 76.4 billion in 2024 and is projected to continue expanding.

The Maldives received more than 80,000 visitors from the Middle East in 2024, representing 4.3% of total arrivals. Arrivals from Qatar have been rising steadily, with August 2025 figures indicating a 64% year-on-year increase to over 1,200 visitors.

MATATO says participation at QTM offers an opportunity to expand the Maldives’ reach within premium GCC segments, including high-spending family travellers, corporate buyers and luxury travel agencies. The event also supports efforts to strengthen air connectivity and stopover travel between Qatar and the Maldives.

With NHGAM participating as a strategic partner, the stand is also highlighting guesthouse tourism, a priority area for the government and a central component of community-based tourism initiatives.

The Maldives welcomed 2.04 million visitors in 2024, marking a 9% increase compared with the previous year. Visitor numbers for 2025 passed the one million mark by mid-year, supported by growth from both traditional and emerging markets.

Tourism remains the country’s primary economic sector, contributing more than 60% of GDP and generating around USD 5.6 billion in earnings in 2024. Officials say strengthening travel trade partnerships in Qatar and the GCC contributes to the sector’s stability and long-term growth.

MATATO’s delegation at QTM forms part of broader efforts to consolidate the Maldives’ position in key regional markets and increase visibility among travel trade partners. The association said the priority this year is translating interest from the show into bookings and long-term business opportunities for industry partners.