Global digital travel platform Agoda has signed an agreement to become an associate partner of the Maldives Border Miles (MBM) programme.
The agreement was signed at a virtual ceremony in the presence of the CEO of Agoda John Brown, Deputy Minister of Tourism Dr. Naushad Mohamed, and Controller-General of Immigration Mohamed Ahmed Hussain. Others in attendance included dignitaries and key stakeholders from the tourism ministry, MBM, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) and the Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation (MMPRC).
MBM is a loyalty programme for tourists initiated by the Maldives Immigration in collaboration with key government stakeholders. Members of the programme earn points based on the duration of stay, and frequency of visits, and also receive exclusive rewards from MBM partners, starting from discounted services to free VIP services.
Under the agreement, both parties will undertake shared promotional efforts, digital promotions, special accommodations and booking discounts on Agoda for MBM members, technical consultancy, and sharing of expertise. The 12-month contract is designed to expand loyalty to return visitors, achieve greater customer acquisition and reinvigorate the travel landscape in the Maldives.
At the ceremony, Controller-General Hussain said MBM's membership has increased to over 50,000, half of which have come through in the last two weeks alone. He said the agreement with Agoda is expected to accelerate the increasing growth of MBM to a wider global audience.
Also at the ceremony, the CEO of Agoda Brown praised the tourism ministry and Immigration for spearheading such forward-thinking initiatives to aid in the country's recovery. He said Agoda strives to be a supportive partner to the governments and communities it operates in, in order to leverage its technology and robust marketing strategies to help stimulate the tourism economy.
Agoda is a digital travel platform that offers a network of over 2.5 million properties in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, offering travellers access to a wide choice of luxury and budget hotels, apartments, homes and villas.