Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) Thayyib Mohamed has stated the Maldives achieved its goal of one million tourist arrivals with help from numerous industry stakeholders.
Speaking to PSM News, Managing Director Thayyib said the highest priority of MMPRC is to work for the recovery of the Maldives tourism industry. As such, Thayyib noted that MMPRC had marketed the Maldives in many regions after Europe and China increased the restrictions following the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the efforts have resulted in over one million tourists visiting the Maldives this year.
Furthermore, Thayyib said he was also pleased to see President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih visit the Maldivian stand at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London, United Kingdom. He said the president's visit had shown that the Maldives takes the tourism industry very seriously.
Thayyib also said the Maldives tourism industry was forced to change its marketing strategies following the COVID-19 pandemic by using online platforms to conduct webinars, virtual fairs, and roadshows. He said MMPRC has also facilitated over 30 familiarisation trips for members of media groups and travel agencies to visit the Maldives.
The Maldives has received 13 tourism-related international awards so far this year, including four awards at the World Travel Awards 2021.