The Ministry of Tourism in Maldives has announced ambitions to be the official host country at the prestigious ITB Berlin Fair in 2026.
Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal revealed the country’s aspiration to become the host of the world’s largest tourism fair in a press conference held yesterday, following Maldives’ participation in the recent ITB Berlin Fair which was held from the 5th to the 7th of this month.
“Maldives stands as one of the foremost tourism destinations globally, and it is fitting for us to aspire to host such a prominent event,” Minister Faisal remarked.
In preparation for the potential hosting duties in 2026, the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) and relevant stakeholders are slated to engage in extensive discussions regarding logistical and organisational arrangements.
Expressing optimism towards securing the hosting rights, Minister Faisal underscored the importance of collaborative efforts within the tourism sector to realise this objective.
The ITB Berlin Fair rotates host countries annually, with Oman being the most recent host. As the host nation, Maldives would assume responsibilities such as conducting the opening ceremony and coordinating various activities throughout the event.
Maldives previously hosted the ITB Fair in 2016, garnering acclaim for its presentation and representation of the nation’s vibrant tourism sector.
The participation of Maldives in this year’s ITB Berlin Fair saw a robust presence, with 214 delegates from 107 tourism companies showcasing the country’s offerings. Spanning an expansive area of 500 acres, the Maldives stand featured a two-storey structure equipped with 104 co-exhibitor counters and 60 dedicated B2B meeting tables.
Established in 1966, the ITB Berlin Fair stands as the premier travel trade show globally, attracting over 10,000 exhibitors from 180 countries in its latest edition.
