Visit Maldives and 1000UT host B2B networking event in Hungary to boost Maldives tourism

The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives), in partnership with 1000UT, successfully hosted a dedicated Destination B2B networking event in Budapest, Hungary, on September 26th, 2024. The event featured participation from six representatives of three companies in the Maldives tourism industry, namely Robinson Maldives, Kandima Maldives, and Intour Maldives.

The event aimed to enhance the Maldives’ brand presence in the Central and Eastern European markets and establish connections with potential agents and buyers in the region. Partnering with 1000UT, one of Hungary’s largest tour operators since 2001, MMPRC brought together 40 Hungarian travel agents to showcase the Maldives as a premier destination. Held at UP Hotel Budapest, the event included presentations from various destination partners, providing Hungarian travel agents with valuable insights into the Maldives tourism industry. These presentations allowed the agents to gain firsthand knowledge of the destination and better understand the diverse offerings and specific products and services of the participating properties.

Expressing his views, Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO & Managing Director of MMPRC, stated, “Together with 1000UT, MMPRC was delighted to host this B2B event in Hungary. The Maldives has seen a steady increase in arrivals from Eastern Europe, and this event highlighted MMPRC’s commitment to further strengthening its relationship with the Hungarian travel trade.”

Attendees had ample time to network and discuss business opportunities with Maldives tourism partners during this one-day event, which prominently highlighted the unique experiences and offerings of the Maldives. Connectivity options were also explored, with Qatar Airways and Fly Dubai presenting their services from Budapest to the Maldives. A dedicated mini-workshop was also held, delving into the specific aspects of Robinson Maldives, Kandima Maldives, and Intour Maldives.

The emerging Eastern European market is considered to hold significant potential for the Maldives tourism industry. As of August 31st, 2024, a total of 12,500 tourist arrivals from Hungary were recorded. MMPRC aims to reinforce the Maldives’ top-of-mind position in this market, establish strong connections with potential agents, and drive increased arrivals from Hungary to the Maldives across various segments. With upcoming marketing activities such as the CEE Roadshow 2024 and the CEE Discover Maldives Webinar Series, MMPRC aims to further contribute to the growing popularity of the Maldives among travellers from the Central and Eastern European regions.