Visit Maldives and Manta Air, in collaboration with key resort and guest house partners, successfully concluded the “Explore Maldives” roadshow at the prestigious Shangri-La Bengaluru on June 26, 2024. The roadshow aimed to reignite interest among Indian travelers and attract more tourists from India, fostering excellent networking opportunities between partner resorts/guest houses and leaders in India’s travel industry.
The event, attended by over 130 agents and media personnel, featured participation from major Maldivian hospitality chains, encompassing resorts, guest houses, DMCs, travel agents, tour operators, and MICE travel organizers from India. Noteworthy Indian industry leaders, including the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) Karnataka Chapter and the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) – Karnataka Chapter, contributed significantly to renewing interest in Maldives as a preferred holiday destination for Indian travelers.
Deputy Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation (MMPRC), Mr. Zihuny Rasheed, inaugurated the full-day event, followed by presentations from key resort partners and multiple networking sessions that facilitated meaningful engagement between partner resorts/guest houses and attending travel agents and tour operators. The event, supported extensively by partners, also featured exciting raffles and giveaways exclusively provided by esteemed resort partners.
“Manta Air’s regular direct flights between the Garden City of India (Bengaluru) and the Sunny Side of Life (Maldives) is a significant step forward in not only improving connectivity but also accessibility, making it easier than ever for Indian tourists to reach our shores, and vice versa.” Said Zihuny Rasheed, the Deputy Managing Director of MMPRC. “Building bridges between our cultures is vital, as India and the Maldives remain close neighbours and good friends.”
The roadshow featured leading resort chains like Universal Resorts, Minor Hotels including NH Collection & AVANI+, Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, and Colors of OBLU, alongside Sun Siyam Resorts, Villa Hotels & Resorts, PULSE Hotels & Resorts, AAA Hotels & Resorts, Angsana Velavaru, COMO, RIU Hotels & Resorts, South Palm, and numerous other resorts, guest houses, and local travel agents. They highlighted the allure of the Maldives through engaging presentations and vibrant networking sessions.
“Our flights providing direct connectivity between Bengaluru and the resorts/guesthouses in Dhaalu Atoll, have paved the way for the Indian travellers to enjoy more time holidaying at some of the finest resorts and guesthouses in Maldives located in the region” said Ahmed Maumoon, Deputy CEO of Manta Air. “The roadshow gave us an unprecedented opportunity to showcase, how holidaymakers from India can take advantage of this direct route that not only reduce the time required to reach their holiday destination, but also provide immense cost savings on their holiday by eliminating the need for additional domestic transfers when flying through the busy hub of Velana International Airport. We have scheduled our Bengaluru flights in such a way that holidaymakers can take full advantage of the arrival and departure dates that allow them to spend more time holidaying at the resort or guesthouse of their choice when they fly with Manta Air.”
Maumoon further added “Given that Maldives offers free visa on arrival for Indian tourists, added with the ease of connectivity provided by our direct flights, travellers now have the option to just hop into the tropical paradise of Maldives for the weekend taking advantage of our morning flights on Fridays and Sundays.”
The roadshow marks a significant milestone in deepening the tourism ties between India and the Maldives. As the travel industry continues its recovery and evolution, such initiatives play a pivotal role in fostering sustainable growth and enhancing the travel experiences for visitors from both nations. The roadshow has notably supported our partner resorts and guesthouses in showcasing the Maldives as a premier destination in the Indian market. India’s travel market emerged as the top performer in 2023. The “Explore Maldives” roadshow has generated considerable excitement within the Indian travel sector, poised to reignite interest among Indian travelers planning vacations in the Maldives during the upcoming Dhivali and Darsauru holidays.
