International Maldives Travel Market (IMTM) 2019 began on Wednesday.
At a ceremony held Wednesday morning, parliament speaker Mohamed Nasheed inaugurated the fair. He toured the fair and met with the exhibitors.
Taking place from June 26-27 at Farukolhufushi in the satellite town of Hulhumale, IMTM 2019 brings together 50 leading international tour operators and travel agencies, representative of 25 countries, to explore new opportunities and liaise with a major representation of the Maldives tourism industry. Additionally, 25 international buyers primarily focused on the guesthouses industry of Maldives are also participating in the second edition of IMTM.
At IMTM, hosted buyers are exhibitors and local accommodation providers come in as trade visitors. This concept ensures a cost-effective platform for trade visitors, as they can meet international buyers interested to sell Maldives.
This year, IMTM is also introducing a new component: a special forum on sustainable tourism, in partnership with Aishtha Azfa, an expert in sustainable development.
With the theme of “Sustainable tourism as a tool for local development,” the forum will provide a platform for dialogue within the Maldivian tourism industry on issues related to sustainability in the Maldivian tourism sector. It will focus on key climatic and anthropogenic issues related to tourist activity, and attempt to seek sustainable solutions based on international best practice, local initiatives, scientific research, technology and innovation.
The aim of this forum is to invite key decision makers of the industry to gain insight into the best practices of sustainable tourism worldwide, and adopt and incorporate those practices in helping Maldives achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Astrabon serves as the main partner of IMTM 2019, with Villa Hotels & Resorts as the accommodation partner, HDC as the host partner, Stage Core as the event partner and Public Service Media (PSM) as the main media partner.
Other partners include Asters (Office Supply Partner), Kaimoo Resorts and Hotels (Gold Partner), Dhivehi Insurance Company (Insurance Partner), Island Aviation Services (National Airline Partner), Yasawa Princess (Livaboard Partner), Dhiraagu (Digital Media Partner), Coca-Cola Maldives (Beverage Partner), Euro Store (Food and Beverage Partner), Metal Signs (Merchandiser Partner), Maldives insider (Travel News Partner), MV Hotels (Travel Media Partner), The Island chief (Travel Tabloid Partner), One Online (Online News Partner), Maldives Business Review (Business News Partner), Double Dot (Photography Partner) and Print Lab Creative (Printing Partner).
Singapore Airlines, Indigo Airlines and Qatar Airways have also been appointed as airline partners.