The Maldives Tourism Promotion Board’s presence at this year’s Arabian Travel Market
in Dubai was its strongest ever. From the 1st to the 4th May, 2007 the
Maldivian delegation profiled a wide range of products and services to
the Gulf region’s travel trade. A total of 44 participants from the
hospitality industry, representing some 24 companies, were on the stand
to meet with tour operators, travel agencies and media.
The 2007 Arabian Travel Market confirmed record breaking attendance
figures of more than 12,000 visitors during the first three days of the
show which were focused on visiting travel trade. There was a
significant growth in visitors from around the Gulf region, which
reflects each country’s buoyant economy and the strong demand for
outbound travel. The Maldives is a relatively new leisure destination
for the Gulf Region and the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board is now
placing greater emphasis on driving destination awareness across the
Gulf Co-operative Council (GCC) countries of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar,
Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia.
The Maldives
is easily accessible from the Arabian Gulf with a short flight time of
around four hours. With daily flights from a combination of airlines,
the consumer choice continues to grow as more tour operators and travel
agencies feature the destination. The Maldives is currently the
ultimate getaway for those who are attracted by private islands,
stunning beaches and crystal clear waters. The Maldives provides the
perfect backdrop for a relaxing, rejuvenating holiday, which is a
welcome contrast to the frantic pace of life in the Arabian Gulf.
Travellers from the GCC account for a small part of the current
total visitor numbers to the islands. However, with a high percentage
of the population being Muslim and with no visa restrictions, the
destination is preparing to attract many more visitors from the Gulf
region. Dr Mahmood Shougee, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation for
the Republic of the Maldives said “Over the past 30 years, tourism has
played a vital role in the sustained development of the Maldives
economy. Today we enjoy high hotel occupancy levels and this is set to
continue. The low season of June, July and August is relatively short
and this coincides with the high season for outbound travel from the
GCC.” Dr Shougee added “Our short term strategy is to continue to
encourage new business from the Gulf region, by placing greater
emphasis on the development of strong relationships with the region’s
travel trade. We need to give them the tools to effectively sell the
destination.”
Today, the Maldives attracts visitors who want to enjoy the peace
and tranquility of an island paradise. With luxury hotels and resorts,
award-winning Spa’s and probably the best snorkeling and scuba diving
in the world, the Maldives offers total relaxation. Currently, the
islands attract more resident expatriates living in the Gulf region
than GCC nationals. Dr Shougee commented “Our medium term strategy is
to grow the business from the Gulf region by developing resorts which
are focused on the preferences of Arab nationals.” “Today we attract
Arab honeymooners and water sport enthusiasts, however we see the
opportunity to develop family-focused resorts which are located on the
inhabited islands, where GCC nationals can interact with the local
Muslim community and enjoy many of the activities associated with town
life”.
Investment in the tourism infrastructure of the Maldives continues
to gather pace. Today there are many new projects underway and future
foreign investment is being encouraged by the Maldivian Government. Dr
Shougee concluded by saying “GCC real estate developers are currently
transforming the face of the Gulf region. We will be sharing our vision
for the future development of the Maldives with many of these
organisations and offering them exciting investment opportunities
here”. “We are confident that the marketing activities that are now
being implementing in the region will ensure that there is a greater
awareness of our beautiful islands, which will stimulate foreign
investment and more inbound travel from both resident expatriates and
GCC nationals.”
-ends-
For further information contact:
Mark Senior
Director
Afkar Marketing Company W.L.L.
Tel: +971 502977129
Tel: +973 39630801
e-mail: mark@afkarmarketing.com
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