The Maldives made a notable impact at this year’s World Travel Market (WTM) in London, with Tourism Minister Ibrahim Thoriq describing the event as a major success for the island nation’s tourism industry.
In a video message on the final day of the exhibition, Minister Thoriq said the country’s participation would help attract more visitors to the Maldives, strengthening its position as a leading global destination.
The Maldives delegation at WTM 2025 was among its largest to date, comprising 160 representatives from 70 tourism businesses. The Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) showcased the country through a 650 square metre stand that drew more than 4,000 visitors over the three day event. The stand, designed to capture the natural beauty and hospitality of the islands, served as a hub for business meetings and networking sessions.
Minister Thoriq highlighted the importance of the United Kingdom as a key source market, noting the country’s steady growth in arrivals. According to the Ministry of Tourism’s latest statistics, the UK ranks as the Maldives’ third largest market, with 163,977 tourist arrivals recorded as of 4 November 2025, an increase from 159,615 arrivals in October and up 16 percent compared to the same period last year.
During the exhibition, the Maldives delegation engaged in several high level meetings aimed at strengthening international partnerships and enhancing air connectivity. Minister Thoriq met with Turkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Ersoy and Greece’s Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni to explore new avenues for cooperation and increasing tourist arrivals from both countries.
Discussions were also held with major airlines, including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, focusing on improving passenger experience and expanding direct flight routes to the Maldives. In addition, the Minister met with Noor Ahmad Hamid, Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), to discuss strategies for building resilience and promoting sustainable tourism growth.
Minister Thoriq said such engagements underscore the government’s commitment to strengthening global partnerships and advancing a tourism strategy that balances growth with sustainability.
