Visit Maldives returns to the first physical post-pandemic tourism event in China

The Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/ Visit Maldives) is taking part in ITB China 2023, as the official Island Travel Partner, from 12 – 14 September 2023 at Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center, Shanghai. This year, 64 representatives from 33 companies are collaborating with MMPRC to promote the Maldives within the Chinese market at ITB China 2023. This significant event is the first B2B trade fair held in China since the onset of the pandemic 3 years prior, and signifies MMPRC’s first in-person participation in a physical tourism event in China following the reopening of global borders.

ITB China 2023 is one of the largest B2B exclusive trade shows focused on the Chinese travel Market. The event serves as a wide-ranging professional platform with industry specialists from all over the world and provides various networking events to connect with potential agents and buyers from several key source markets.

The Visit Maldives stand is curated to provide an authentic glimpse of the Sunny Side of Life for the attendees. Attendees can expect a dynamic array of activities such as meetings with the Maldivian travel trade. Unique experiences of the destination takes centre stage with activities at the stand including the creation of personalised calligraphy bookmarks, and a photo backdrop featuring a libaas and feyli props offer attendees a chance for a Maldivian-style snapshot to take back home. Additionally MMPRC will be conducting promotion of Visit Maldives’ Weibo and WeChat social media handles to strengthen the brand presence in the market. The stand will also provide press packs, detailing Visit Maldives and co-exhibitor information, alongside promotional materials. A special raffle will be conducted on the last day where two lucky winners win free holidays to the Maldives, sponsored by The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives and Kihaa Maldives respectively.

Visit Maldives, as the Island Travel Partner, receives a special opportunity to host a Networking Lunch, an exclusive gathering of 100 hosted buyers, meticulously curated by the ITB China organisers. The event will provide opportunities for significant networking sessions and MMPRC will engage in insightful discussions. MMPRC will also promote the Maldives in the presentation hub, accommodating up to 80 potential buyers, and conduct an enticing destination presentation of the Maldives and its offers.

China has long remained one of the most significant markets to the Maldives tourism industry. Direct flights from China to the Maldives resumed on 18th January 2023, following a 3-year hiatus due to border closures with the onset of the global Covid-19 pandemic. Despite border closures. As of September 5, 2023, there have been a total of 123,824 arrivals from China, making it the third-largest source market for the Maldives. The arrival numbers are steadily rising, nearing pre-pandemic levels.

Even during border closures, MMPRC diligently conducted various marketing activities in the Chinese market to maintain the Maldives’ appeal as the top destination to visit once borders reopen. The Maldives has already achieved a significant milestone by surpassing one million tourist arrivals this year, marking an incredible success for the tourism sector. The target set for this year is 1.8 million tourists.