Maldives has showcased the destination at ITB Berlin with a strong presence.
At the 53rd edition of the world’s leading trade show, which takes place at the Messe Berlin Expo Centre in Berlin from March 6-10, Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) is representing the destination along with over 270 representatives from 105 companies. The Maldivian delegation is headed by the Maldives Vice President Faisal Naseem along with tourism minister Ali Waheed and MMPRC Managing Director Thoyyib Mohamed.
During the five-day event, Maldivian officials are meeting with industry professionals to explore means to further develop and strengthen the presence of Maldives. In addition to business meeting, the Maldivian delegation directly engaged with major tour operators and top travel trade media at formal press briefing chaired by Vice President Naseem, tourism minister Waheed and MMPRC Managing Director Thoyyib.
The Maldives is showcased at a two-storey 405sqm stand, which represents the culture and beauty of the destination. This year, activities at the stand resemble that of cultural Eid festivities and celebrations, bringing a touch of colour and grandeur to the stand. Complementing this, the Maldivian traditional Bodu Mas celebrations and lacquer work give visitors a chance to experience local culture.
Other activities such as Maldivian dances, performed by the local Goma group, and live music by Equatic vibe, are carried out at the stand. A live food station is placed at the stand where food preparations are showcased to attract more visitors. A traditional food display which allows visitors to taste Maldivian food has also been placed at the stand.
The Maldives stand also has a spa corner by Sun Siyam Resorts.
Maldivian Night, the most prestigious event for the Maldives representatives, was held on March 6 at the Grand Hytt Berlin where delegates from across the world interacted with representatives of the Maldives.
By the end of 2018, 117,532 arrivals were recorded from German market, which is a growth of 4.8 per cent compared to the previous year. Germany is one of the biggest traditional source markets for the Maldives and is currently the second largest in terms of arrival figures.