Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC ) has concluded the exclusive ‘Maldives Media Meet’ press conference.

The ‘Maldives Media Meet’ press conference was held at the sidelines of ITB Berlin 2023 on 7th March 2023.

The Maldives Media Meet was led by the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of MMPRC, Thoyyib Mohamed. He was joined by Maldives Tourism Industry Pioneer, Hussain Afeef; and the Minister of Tourism of the Maldives, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom.

Attendants at the event consisted of representatives from noteworthy travel trade companies, media, and tourism-related organizations, along with 45 people who watched the press conference live through ITB Explore.

The opening remarks at the conference were made by Tourism Industry pioneer, Hussain Afeef.

He spoke at length on the topic “From Coral Stone Huts To Underwater Villas - Evolution Of Maldives Tourism”. As such, he noted that the Maldives has completely transformed from an obscure chain of islands scattered across the Indian Ocean into one of the most desired tourist destinations in the world within just 50 years.

Hussain Afeef stated that the evolution of the Maldives from coral stone huts to underwater villas is the journey of the Maldivian people as much as it is the history of the country's tourism industry.

Minister Mausoom addressed the way forward for the Maldivian tourism industry. The Minister stated that he appreciates the contributions and engagement of travel and tourism stakeholders in making the Maldives an exemplary destination.

Minister Mausoom went onto say that the administration and industry stakeholders strive to maintain the popularity of Maldives through innovative, sustainable, accessible and inclusive tourism development and management approaches and models.

MMPRC’s MD, Thoyyib, provided an overview of the blueprint behind the Maldives’ success as the World’s Leading Destination for the past three consecutive years.

Thoyyib also spoke in length regarding one of MMPRC’s most ambitious marketing activities - the Visit Maldives Storytellers’ Conference 2023.

Thoyyib went on to state that the this year is special even though the Maldives has been taking part in ITB Berlin continuously since 1984. He noted that ITB Berlin this year has seen MMPRC’s largest delegation of Maldivian travel trade professionals, media, and high-level executives to any fair or exhibition, with 233 representatives from 91 companies.

This, Thoyyib stated is a testament to how important Maldives consider the German market and ITB Berlin is for the Maldivian tourism industry.

Thoyyib also launched the ‘50 Ultimate Experiences’ Maldives guidebook curated by Visit Maldives in celebration of the 50-year milestone of the Maldives tourism industry.

The speakers took questions from the attendants following the press conference, answering their queries and holding discourse with the media and travel trade.

MMPRC states that the purpose of hosting this event was to connect with leading media representatives from Germany and other global markets.

The corporation notes that the event provided the opportunity to go beyond stats, numbers, and figures - and to present a cohesive story of how the Maldives tourism industry came to be.

MMPRC also noted that the event highlighted the awards, achievements, and the future of the tourism industry and the relationship between Maldives and Germany.