Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC / Visit Maldives) has begun a webinar series for the Eastern European travel trade titled “Connect with Maldives”. A total of 2 webinars will be conducted, targeting Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria. The first webinar was held for the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland travel trade on 22nd November. The second webinar for Romanian and Bulgarian travel trade will be held on 13th December 2022.

The purpose of the two webinars is to update the Eastern European travel trade with the latest information and travel guidelines from the destination. Webinars provide opportunities for our industry partners to showcase their products to the travel trade of this region. This is the first webinar series conducted this year in Eastern Europe to strengthen the Maldives brand. The first session was joined by 2 industry partners and over 70 travel trade professionals from Eastern Europe. 

The first webinar commenced with an opening speech by the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director (CEO & MD), Mr Thoyyib Mohamed, highlighting the important relationship between the Maldives and the Eastern European travel trade. Mr Thoyyib further underscored the many awards and accolades achieved by the Maldives during the past years and the joy of vacationing in the Maldives during the golden jubilee year of the Maldivian tourism industry. 

Followed by the CEO & MD’s speech, an update was provided regarding the latest travel guidelines. Afterwards, MMPRC presented a destination presentation showcasing the breathtaking beauty of the Maldives, the four tourism products (resorts, guesthouses, liveaboards, hotels) and the unique experiences offered in the Maldives. Sleeping in a bubble tent on the beach, staying at a private water villa and flying in a seaplane were among the many exciting unique experiences promoted. 

Two industry partners presented the latest information on the unique products and experiences respective to their property in this session. The webinar provided an important platform for MMPRC’s industry partners to showcase their latest products to a wide-reaching travel trade audience in the Eastern European region as well as strengthen relations with the market. The webinar ended with a Q&A followed by an exciting raffle holiday giveaway sponsored by  Riu Palace Maldives.  The lucky winner won an all-inclusive stay in the Maldives. 

Eastern European markets are amongst the top source markets for the Maldives this year. As of September 2022, Maldives has welcomed 60,115 from Eastern Europe. MMPRC is steadfast in strengthening the Maldives brand in Eastern Europe, with activities such as joint marketing campaigns with airlines among the notable campaigns we have conducted in the region so far this year. The Maldives has welcomed over 1.3 million travellers so far in 2022.  

As the company responsible for marketing the Maldives as a destination abroad, MMPRC carried out 260 different marketing activities in 22 global markets last year, including fairs, roadshows, familiarisation trips, marketing campaigns, webinars, and interviews. The greatest testament to the success of these activities came this year, as the Maldives secured the title of ‘World’s Leading Destination’ (among several other accolades) at the 2022 World Travel Awards, globally recognised as the hallmark of industry excellence. This is the third consecutive year that the Maldives had successfully earned this prestigious title, a shining testimony of the trust placed in the ‘magic of Maldivian hospitality’ by travellers from all over the globe. This year, MMPRC also secured the title of 'World's Leading Tourist Board' for the first time in our nation's history.