The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives) advertised and promoted the Maldives and all of its products at the United Kingdom’s Travel Bulletin Indian Ocean Showcase 2023, which was held on January 31st at Chelmsford, Essex, England.

Travel Bulletin is a leading UK travel trade brand with ten years of experience, providing news, training, networking events, and the chance for travel agencies to meet important worldwide sellers of tourism products, services, and experiences, including destinations. The Travel Bulletin Indian Ocean Showcase 2023 event brings together suppliers and buyers to network and make business contacts and transactions. MMPRC’s PR for the UK market represented the Maldives at the event.

A 30-minute B2B networking session with the guests took place prior to the start of the one-day event. At the event, MMPRC had a special table where 10-minute speed networking sessions with destination presentations were offered to groups of 8-10 travel agents seated at a circular table. Participants gave away unique gift hampers, gift certificates, and free Christmas raffles in addition to a networking meal as part of the event.

The purpose of attending this event is to meet and network with major regional travel trade partners, to maintain and build the Maldives brand in the market, and to offer the most up-to-date information about the Maldives and our tourist goods, including unique experiences.

With 179,312 arrivals through December 31, 2022, the UK was one of the main source markets to the Maldives last year, accounting for 10.7% of the total market share. Last year, MMPRC held various actions in this sector to sustain destination momentum. Participation in major trade shows such as WTM London 2022; destination roadshows in London, Manchester, and Newcastle; joint marketing campaigns such as the one with British Airways; marketing and brand awareness campaigns with travel agents, tour operators, and media outlets; and familiarisation trips are all part of this. Several comparable operations are planned for this industry into 2023.