Visit Maldives and Manta Air, along with key resort and guest house partners, have successfully concluded the “Explore Maldives” roadshow at the prestigious Shangri-La Bengaluru on 26th June 2024. The roadshow aimed to reignite the interest of Indian travellers and attract more Indian tourists to the Maldives, providing excellent networking opportunities between Maldivian hospitality partners and Indian travel industry leaders.
The event was attended by over 130 agents and media personnel, featuring major Maldivian hospitality chains, including resorts and guest houses, Destination Management Companies (DMCs), travel agents, tour operators, and MICE travel organisers from India. The participation of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) Karnataka Chapter and the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) Karnataka Chapter significantly boosted the event, promoting the Maldives as a preferred holiday destination for Indian travellers.
The full-day event was opened by Mr. Zihuny Rasheed, Deputy Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation (MMPRC), followed by presentations from key resort partners and multiple networking sessions. These sessions provided invaluable opportunities for the partner resorts and guest houses to engage with the attending travel agents and tour operators. The event also featured numerous raffles and giveaways provided by the esteemed resort partners exclusively for the attendees.
“Manta Air’s regular direct flights between the Garden City of India (Bengaluru) and the Sunny Side of Life (Maldives) is a significant step forward in not only improving connectivity but also accessibility, making it easier than ever for Indian tourists to reach our shores, and vice versa,” said Mr. Zihuny Rasheed.
The roadshow saw participation from major resort chains such as Universal Resorts, Minor Hotels with NH Collection & AVANI+, Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts with Colors of OBLU, Sun Siyam Resorts, Villa Hotels & Resorts, PULSE Hotels & Resorts, AAA Hotels & Resorts, Angsana Velavaru, COMO, RIU Hotels & Resorts, South Palm, and many more. These resorts and guest houses showcased the appeal of the Maldives through captivating presentations and dynamic networking sessions.
“Our flights providing direct connectivity between Bengaluru and the resorts and guest houses in Dhaalu Atoll have paved the way for Indian travellers to enjoy more time holidaying at some of the finest resorts and guest houses in the Maldives located in the region,” said Ahmed Maumoon, Deputy CEO of Manta Air. He highlighted that the roadshow offered an unprecedented opportunity to showcase how holidaymakers from India can benefit from this direct route, reducing travel time and providing cost savings by eliminating the need for additional domestic transfers through Velana International Airport.
The roadshow represents a significant step in strengthening the tourism bond between India and the Maldives. As the travel industry continues to recover and evolve, such initiatives are crucial in driving sustained growth and enriching the travel experiences of tourists from both countries. The roadshow has undoubtedly helped Maldivian partner resorts and guest houses promote the Maldives as a top destination to the Indian market.
The Indian travel market was ranked as the best performing market in 2023. The “Explore Maldives” roadshow has created the much-needed buzz in the Indian travel market that will surely reignite the interest of Indian travellers towards vacationing in the Maldives during the upcoming Diwali and Dussehra holidays.
