Visit Maldives and Manta Air with key resort/guest house partners have successfully concluded the “Explore Maldives” roadshow held at the prestigious Shangri-La Bengaluru on 26thJune 2024. The roadshow aimed at reigniting interests of Indian travellers to attract more Indian tourists, provided excellent networking opportunities between the partner resorts/guest houses and the travel industry leaders in India. 

The very successful event attended by 130+ agents and media personnel saw participation from major hospitality chains of Maldives that included all segments including resorts and guest houses of Maldives along with DMCs, Travel Agents and Tour Operators as well as MICE travel organisers from India. Participation by travel industry leaders of India including Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) Karnataka Chapter and Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) – Karnataka Chapter, provided much needed fuel to reignite interest amongst Indian travellers to seek Maldives as preferred holiday destination. 

The full-day event opened by the Deputy Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation (MMPRC) Mr. Zihuny Rasheed was followed by presentations by key resort partners and multiple networking sessions that provided invaluable opportunities for the partner resorts/guest houses to engage with the attending travel agents and tour operators. The grand event hosted with tremendous support from the partners also saw numerous raffles and giveaways provided by the esteemed resorts partners exclusively for the event. 

“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 Zihuny Rasheed, the Deputy Managing Director of MMPRC. “Building bridges between our cultures is vital, as India and the Maldives remain close neighbours and good friends.” 

The roadshow participated by major resort chains such as Universal Resorts, Minor Hotels with NH Collection & AVANI+, Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts along 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 resorts and guest houses and local travel agents, showcased the appeal of the Maldives through captivating presentations and dynamic networking sessions.

“Our flights providing direct connectivity between Bengaluru and the resorts/guesthouses in Dhaalu Atoll, have paved the way for the Indian travellers to enjoy more time holidaying at some of the finest resorts and guesthouses in Maldives located in the region” said Ahmed Maumoon, Deputy CEO of Manta Air. “The roadshow gave us an unprecedented opportunity to showcase, how holidaymakers from India can take advantage of this direct route that not only reduce the time required to reach their holiday destination, but also provide immense cost savings on their holiday by eliminating the need for additional domestic transfers when flying through the busy hub of Velana International Airport. We have scheduled our Bengaluru flights in such a way that holidaymakers can take full advantage of the arrival and departure dates that allow them to spend more time holidaying at the resort or guesthouse of their choice when they fly with Manta Air.” Maumoon further added “Given that Maldives offers free visa on arrival for Indian tourists, added with the ease of connectivity provided by our direct flights, travellers now have the option to just hop into the tropical paradise of Maldives for the weekend taking advantage of our morning flights on Fridays and Sundays.” 

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 our partner resorts and guesthouses to 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 Maldives during the upcoming Dhivali and Darsauru holidays.