The Maldives has developed a significant presence at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), progressing from a small stall in its early years of participation to one of the largest and most eye-catching pavilions at the fair today.
ATM is the largest international travel and tourism fair held in the Middle East. The annual event in Dubai provides an important platform that brings together leading tourism industry stakeholders, travel agents, tour operators and media from different parts of the world. This year marks the 32nd edition of the fair.
Over the past 32 years, ATM has undergone major changes and continued to develop significantly. As the standard of the fair has risen throughout its long journey, it has also created new opportunities to strengthen links between technology and business.
The Maldives has expanded its presence alongside the development of the fair. Although the country's journey at ATM began with a small stall, the Maldives has now established one of the largest pavilions at the event, drawing the attention of a large number of visitors.
The scale of the Maldives' participation has also grown over the years. This year, 165 representatives from 74 Maldivian companies are participating in the fair, representing a broad range of businesses operating across the country's tourism industry.
The Maldivian delegation includes businesses operating resorts across the country, as well as safari and guesthouse operators. Their participation represents different segments of the Maldives' tourism industry at the major international fair.
Tourism industry stakeholders say the Maldives has achieved significant progress through its participation in ATM. They particularly highlight the fair's role in promoting the Maldives in Middle Eastern and Arab markets and note that the number of tourists travelling to the country from the region continues to increase year on year.
Industry stakeholders also say ATM plays an important role in encouraging major international airlines to increase services to the Maldives. In addition, they highlight the fair's role in establishing the Maldives not only as a luxury destination, but also as a country particularly well suited to halal tourism.
Tourism industry representatives who spoke to PSM News about ATM expressed strong optimism about the fair.
One Maldivian resort operator, who has participated in ATM for 15 years, said the fair provides one of the best opportunities to attract tourists from the Middle East to the Maldives.
Building on the Maldives' longstanding participation in ATM, the Government aims to make this year's fair an event that takes the country's tourism industry to new heights and brings further momentum to the national economy.