Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) has announced plans to participate in 19 international travel trade fairs and exhibition in 2018.
The fairs and roadshows that the non-profit plans to take part in next year include:
- Tehran International Tourism Exhibition in Tehran, Iran (January 23-26)
- South Asian Travel and Trade Exhibition (SATTE) in New Delhi, India (January 31 to February 2)
- Tourest in Tallinn, Estonia (February 9-11)
- Thai International Travel Fair (TITF) in Bangkok, Thailand (February 7-11)
- International Mediterranean Tourism Market in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel (February 6- 7)
- Bit Milano in Milan, Italy (February 11-13)
- Outbound Travel Roadshow Middle East in Dubai, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman (February 11-15)
- Ukraine International Travel and Tourism in Kiev, Ukraine (March 20-22)
- Outbound Travel Roadshow India in Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Delhi (March 19-22)
- Vietnam International Travel Mart in Ha Noi, Vietnam (April 29 to May 1)
- Azerbaijan International Travel and Tourism Fair (AITF) in Baku, Azerbaijan (April 5-7)
- World Travel Fair China in Shanghai, China (April 19-22)
- Taipei Tourism Expo in Taipei, Taiwan (May 4-7)
- Indaba Tourism Fair in Durban, South Africa (May 8-10)
- International Travel Expo (ITE) in Hong Kong (June 14-17)
- US Roadshow in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle (August)
- PATA Travel Mart in Langkawi, Malaysia (September 12-14)
- Outbound Travel Roadshow Southeast Asia in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta and Manila (October 1-5)
- Brussels Travel Expo in Brussels, Belgium (December 11-12)
MATATO has already opened registration for the multi-city Outbound Travel Roadshow Middle East and India.
As part of the destination marketing efforts by MATATO, it has in the recent years increased the number of travel trade events that it takes part in. Over the past 12 months, MATATO along with tourism industry representatives have showcased the Maldives at 15 international travel shows and exhibitions.
After years of double-digit growth in tourism, the Maldives has over the recent years observed a slowdown in growth. Tourist arrivals have crossed the one million milestone and is on course to reach 1.5 million by the end of this year, but the country has been struggling to create demand amidst a significant increase in bed capacity.