Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/ Visit Maldives) in partnership with 1000UT has successfully hosted a dedicated Destination B2B networking event in Budapest, Hungary on 26th September 2024. Along with Visit Maldives, 6 representatives from 3 companies from the Maldives tourism industry participated in the event, namely Robinson Maldives, Kandima Maldives, and Intour Maldives. 

This event aimed to strengthen the Maldives' brand presence in the Central & Eastern European market and connect with potential agents and buyers in the region. Partnering with 1000UT, one of Hungary's largest tour operators since 2001, Visit Maldives brought together 40 Hungarian travel agents to explore the Maldives as a premier destination. The event took place at UP Hotel Budapest and featured presentations from our destination partners. These presentations provided Hungarian travel agents with valuable insights about the Maldives tourism industry, allowing them to experience the destination firsthand and gain a deeper understanding of our diverse offerings, along with the specific products and services of the participating properties. 

"Together with 1000UT, we were delighted to host this B2B event in Hungary," said Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO & MD of MMPRC. "The Maldives had seen a steady increase in arrivals from Eastern Europe, and this event highlighted our commitment to further strengthening our relationship with the Hungarian travel trade."

Attendees had ample time to network and discuss business opportunities with Maldives tourism partners during this one-day event prominently highlighting our unique experiences and offerings. Connectivity was also explored, with Qatar Airways and Fly Dubai presenting their connectivity options from Budapest to the Maldives. The event also included a dedicated mini-workshop that delved into the specific aspects of Robinson Maldives, Kandima Maldives, and Intour Maldives.

The emerging Eastern European market holds great potential for the Maldives tourism industry. As of 31st August 2024, a total of 12,500 tourist arrivals from Hungary were recorded. Visit Maldives seeks to reinforce the Maldives' top-of-mind position in the market, establish strong connections with potential agents, and drive increased arrivals from Hungary to the Maldives across various segments. With exciting upcoming marketing activities such as the CEE Roadshow 2024 and the CEE Discover Maldives Webinar Series, Visit Maldives aims to contribute to the Maldives' growing popularity among travellers from the Central & Eastern European regions.