Association of Travel Agents (ATA) has announced plans to participate in the upcoming New York Times Travel Show.
In an announcement, ATA said its officials will be providing destination related information and conducting meetings at the show, which is scheduled to be held from January 26-28, 2018.
The largest and longest running trade and consumer show in North America, The New York Times Travel Show returns in 2018 for its 15th anniversary. Over 8,000 travel professionals, including 900 media professionals, are expected to attend, while more than 40 destination specific seminars will be held.
The 2017 edition reached a record 30,099 participants — the highest attendance in the show’s history. Attendance included 9,253 travel trade and 20,846 consumer attendees during the three-day event. Participating exhibitors also hit a new record with 560 companies representing over 170 countries.
Growth in the US market has gained steam this year, as 24,663 Americans visited the Maldives during the first eight months of the year. It was a 21.2 percent increase over the 20,346 Americans that spent their holidays in the Maldives during the same period of last year.
This significant growth in arrivals from the US has put the country amongst the top 10 source markets, along with China, Germany, UK, Italy, India, Russia, France, Japan, and Switzerland. The US currently holds the ninth biggest market share in Maldives tourism, between the traditionally strong market of Japan and Switzerland.
The US market, however, continues to face several challenges, especially due to the long distance and the lack of air connectivity. With no direct flights between the US and Maldives, travellers now have to opt for transit flights with long layovers in London, Dubai and Doha.
Founded in 2014 by a highly experienced and ambitious group of travel agents, ATA represents the interests of travel agents and tour operators in the Maldives.