Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), together with 173 participants from 80 companies, are representing Maldives at the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2022 – one of the world’s top travel and tourism fairs.

The event is underway at ExCel London from November 7-9.

The Maldivian delegation at WTM London this year is led by MMPRC’s CEO and Managing Director Thoyyib Mohamed – who is set to provide the latest updates on Maldives through in-person interviews with global media officials attending the fair.

MMPRC’s CEO and Managing Director Thoyyib Mohamed (L) at the WTM London 2020 on November 7, 2022. (Photo/MMPRC)

WTM London is one of the leading global events for the travel industry to meet industry professionals and conduct business deals. Utilizing its industry networks and unrivalled global reach, the three-day in-person event creates business opportunities by connecting with industry delegates and international media.

Maldives’ participation in WTM London 2022 comes as the award-winning destination celebrates 50 years since it began welcoming visitors to its sandy shores.

Along with our industry partners, MMPRC is promoting Maldives’ diverse products and segments and showcasing the unique aspects, activities, and experiences of the island destination at a 420 sqm double-decker stand.  The stand includes a designated area designed to showcase the ‘Redefining MICE’ concept unique to the Maldives, where industry partners and MMPRC officials can host presentations - this area is designed to showcase the ‘Redefining MICE’ concept unique to the Maldives.

Maldives' stand at the WTM London 2020 on November 7, 2022. (Photo/MMPRC)

The Maldivian delegation is set to host a wide range of activities to maintain Maldives’ presence as a preferred destination in the UK market and beyond.

It includes the 360-video booth at Maldives’ stand – a brand new activity this year. The 360-video booth is a technology which uses a revolving camera to give a 360-degree experience, providing visitors opportunities to take pictures and videos immersed in the beauty of Maldives all around them.

One of the major highlights from the activities planned for WTM London this year includes the ‘Maldives Media Meet’ to celebrate 50 years of tourism in the Maldives. The event will be held on Wednesday, and will host Maldives’ tourism pioneer, Hussain ‘Champa’ Afeef; Maldivian Tourism Minister Dr. Abdulla Mausoom; Maldivian High Commissioner to the UK, Great Britain, and Ireland, Dr. Farah Faizal; and MMPRC’s CEO and MD Thoyyib.

Maldives' stand at the WTM London 2020 on November 7, 2022. (Photo/MMPRC)

Other activities at the stand include distributing press packs, the launching of Maldives’2023 destination guide, and kicking off an exciting new venture by MMPRC for next year as part of their global marketing efforts.

The WTM London has been described by MMPRC has the perfect opportunity for networking, strengthening existing business ties, and maintaining Maldives’ destination presence as one a top-of-the-mind spot for holiday travel.

The events further provide the ideal platform for industry partners to; promote their individual products and properties; generate new business leads; and network with the UK and global travel trade to identify sentiments of consumers towards the destination.

Maldives' stand at the WTM London 2020 on November 7, 2022. (Photo/MMPRC)

MMPRC is also set to host a three-city roadshow series in London, Manchester, and Newcastle on the November 9, 10, and 11, respectively, to promote Maldives.

The UK is traditionally one of Maldives’ top source markets for tourist arrivals, and currently ranks at 3rd with 147,535 arrivals as of November 2 – making for 10.9 percent of the market share from the 1,354,828 total arrivals seen by the destination during the period.