The Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), also known as Visit Maldives, proudly participated as the official Island Travel Partner at ITB China 2023. This noteworthy event took place from September 12th to 14th, 2023, at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. Collaborating with 33 companies, MMPRC brought together 64 representatives to showcase the Maldives within the Chinese market at ITB China 2023. Remarkably, this event marked the first B2B trade fair held in China since the pandemic began three years ago, signifying MMPRC’s initial in-person engagement in a physical tourism event in China since global borders reopened.
ITB China 2023 stands as one of the largest B2B-exclusive trade shows dedicated to the Chinese travel market. This event served as an expansive professional platform, attracting industry specialists from around the globe, offering various networking opportunities to connect with potential agents and buyers from key source markets.
The Visit Maldives booth was thoughtfully designed to provide attendees with an authentic glimpse of the “Sunny Side of Life.” Visitors could anticipate a vibrant array of activities, including meetings with Maldivian travel trade representatives. The destination’s unique experiences took center stage, with activities at the booth, such as personalized calligraphy bookmarks creation and a photo backdrop featuring traditional “libaas” and “feyli” props, allowing attendees to capture a Maldivian-style memento to take home. MMPRC also promoted Visit Maldives’ Weibo and WeChat social media handles to enhance the brand’s presence in the market. The booth provided press packs with comprehensive information about Visit Maldives and co-exhibitors, along with promotional materials. A special raffle drew the event to a close, where two fortunate winners earned complimentary trips to the Maldives, generously sponsored by The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives, and Kihaa Maldives, respectively.
As the Island Travel Partner, Visit Maldives had the privilege of hosting a Networking Lunch, an exclusive gathering of 100 hosted buyers meticulously selected by ITB China organizers. This event facilitated significant networking sessions, allowing MMPRC to engage in insightful discussions. Furthermore, MMPRC promoted the Maldives at the presentation hub, accommodating up to 80 potential buyers, where they delivered a captivating destination presentation highlighting the Maldives and its offerings.
China has consistently ranked among the most significant markets for the Maldives’ tourism industry. Direct flights from China to the Maldives resumed on January 18, 2023, after a three-year hiatus caused by border closures during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Even amid border closures, MMPRC diligently executed various marketing activities in the Chinese market to sustain the Maldives’ appeal as the ultimate destination to visit once borders reopened. The Maldives celebrated a significant achievement this year by surpassing one million tourist arrivals, marking a remarkable success for the tourism sector. The year’s target is set at 1.8 million tourists, and as of September 5, 2023, there have been a total of 123,824 arrivals from China, with numbers steadily approaching pre-pandemic levels.
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