Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) has concluded its participation at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 in Dubai, following four days of travel trade engagement, media outreach and partnership building aimed at strengthening the Maldives’ presence across the GCC and wider international markets.

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The Maldives participated at ATM 2026 with its largest tourism industry contingent at an international travel trade event this year, bringing together 165 industry representatives from 74 tourism companies, alongside representatives from Visit Maldives Corporation, the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and the Embassy of the Republic of Maldives in the United Arab Emirates.

Throughout the fair, the Maldives delegation engaged with airlines, tour operators, travel agents, media, tourism organisations and other industry partners through scheduled B2B meetings, interviews and networking activities. Discussions focused on strengthening connectivity, expanding market reach, developing joint promotional opportunities and responding to changing traveller preferences across the GCC and other source markets.

A key outcome of ATM 2026 was the strengthening of VMC’s partnerships with major international airlines. VMC signed Memoranda of Understanding with Emirates and Qatar Airways, establishing frameworks for greater cooperation in destination marketing, travel trade engagement, familiarisation initiatives and joint promotional activity across key markets.

VMC also used ATM to reinforce its approach to the GCC market, with increased emphasis on reaching younger and experience-driven travellers. Alongside the Maldives’ established strengths in luxury, privacy and premium hospitality, destination promotion is increasingly highlighting experiences such as diving, big-game and night fishing, wellness, family travel, culture and local island experiences.

“ATM 2026 has given us an important opportunity to listen to our partners, understand how traveller demand is evolving and strengthen the relationships that help convert interest in the Maldives into actual travel,” said Abdulla Yasir, CEO & Managing Director of Visit Maldives Corporation. “The Maldives will continue to protect the premium positioning for which it is known while broadening the destination story, improving connectivity and creating greater opportunities for our tourism industry across key markets.”

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The participation also provided a platform to introduce the direction of Visit Maldives Year 2027, which will bring together tourism businesses, resorts, local islands, councils and other stakeholders through activities and experiences planned throughout the year. The programme will span multiple tourism segments and aims to showcase a wider range of experiences across the destination while strengthening year-round engagement with international markets.

ATM 2026 further supported VMC’s engagement with regional and international media, with interviews and discussions focusing on connectivity, tourism performance, GCC market growth, destination diversification and the Maldives’ outlook for 2027.

The Middle East remains an important market for the Maldives, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia presenting particular opportunities for continued growth. In addition to their importance as source markets, Gulf aviation hubs remain central to connecting the Maldives with travellers from Europe and other international markets.

Following ATM 2026, Visit Maldives will continue working with airline, travel trade, media and tourism industry partners to build on the engagements established during the fair and strengthen demand for the Maldives across both established and emerging markets.