Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) has wrapped up a series of marketing seminars for guesthouses in Maldives.
Conducted in association with local PR firm Maldives Getaways and Guesthouse Association of Maldives, the sessions were held from March 19 to May 10 in the islands of Rasdhoo, Ukulhas and Dhigurah in Alif Alif Atoll, Thinadhoo in Vaavu atoll, Dharavandhoo in Baa atoll, Hanimaadhoo in Haa Dhaal atoll, Thinadhoo in Gaafu Dhaal Atoll, and Maafushi in Kaafu atoll. Seminars also took place in Laamu atoll, Addu City and Hulhumale.
A total of 177 guesthouse representatives attended the seminars.
These seminars were held as part of the new government’s 100-day pledge to develop and further strengthen local tourism in the Maldives. The seminars focused on helping guesthouse operators find potential target markets and familiarise them with different marketing strategies that can be used to promote their products.
Maldives, known world over for its upmarket tourism industry, has resorts in the hundreds spread across the archipelago. The industry has in recent years expanded to introduce more affordable segments, including guesthouses and liveaboards. Some 500 guesthouses have started operations over the past five years as the number of travellers that choose to stay in guesthouses rise.
The new government has held a guesthouse symposium to identify and resolve challenges faced by the guesthouse industry.
Meanwhile, the government has established a financing company in order to provide financial and professional assistance to guesthouse businesses.