NHGAM, Visit Maldives and MATATO kick off CIS roadshow in Moscow
The National Hotels and Guesthouse Association of Maldives (NHGAM), in collaboration with Visit Maldives and the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO), has successfully commenced the ‘I AM Maldives CIS Region Roadshow,’ in Moscow. A targeted trade mission across three of the CIS region’s most important travel markets: Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Almaty. The roadshow will continue in St Petersburg and in Almaty on the 23rd and 25th of September 2026.
The roadshow brought together 26 companies and more than 50 participants, representing the full diversity of Maldivian tourism, including guesthouses, resorts, hotels, liveaboards, and travel agencies. More than 90 travel trade professionals participated in Moscow for B2B networking sessions and presentations, including tour operators, travel agents, and key industry decision-makers. Through this roadshow, The ‘I AM Maldives’ Magazine 2026 – 2027 edition was also launched by President of National Hotels and Guesthouse Association of Maldives Abdulla Nasheed.
NHGAM aimed to promote community-led and local island tourism as a key focus across all three markets, while showcasing the full spectrum of Maldivian tourism products. Travel trade professionals gained valuable knowledge about authentic local island experiences, sustainable tourism practices, luxury resort offerings, and the diverse range of accommodation and activity options available throughout the Maldives.
Industry participants expressed satisfaction with the events’ organisation and the valuable business connections established.
The CIS region represents significant and growing potential for Maldivian tourism. Russia recorded 278,761 arrivals to the Maldives in 2025, a 23.8 percent increase year-on-year, and has maintained its position as the Maldives’ second-largest source market so far in 2026, with 209,815 arrivals as of 2nd September, a 14.6 percent share of total tourist arrivals. Kazakhstan ranked 11th overall in tourist arrivals as of June 2026, with 18,602 arrivals, representing a 1.8 percent market share, and the wider Central Asian market continues to represent a high-potential frontier for the destination, with strengthening air connectivity across the CIS region pointing to further growth ahead.
“Russia and the CIS region are among the most important and high-potential markets for the Maldives. This roadshow was a strategic step to further strengthen our presence in these regions and introduce the unique offerings of the Maldives to a wider audience,” said Abdulla Nasheed, President of NHGAM.
This marks the third successful roadshow under the I AM Maldives brand, following previous initiatives in Georgia and Azerbaijan followed by Romania, Poland and Czech Republic in 2025 and most recently across Southeast Asia in Hong Kong and Malaysia in the first quarter of 2026. As NHGAM continues to execute an ambitious calendar of international market activities in 2026, the CIS Region roadshow reinforces the association’s commitment to expanding the Maldives’ presence in one of its most vital travel regions, ensuring that the destination remains front of mind for travel trade partners and travellers across the region.
