Ambassador of Maldives to China Mohamed Faisal has revealed plans of conducting various mega events to promote Maldives as an optimum tourist destination in the Chinese market.
The political situation in Maldives earlier this year had its toll on the tourism industry, Ambassador Mohamed Faisal said in an exclusive interview with PSM News during the China Outbound Travel and Tourism Market (COTTM). Ambassador Faisal said Chinese tourists and tour operators were hesitant to visit Maldives as they felt insecure about the safety measures in the country. The Embassy of Maldives in Beijing has been conducting various mega events to promote Maldives as an optimum tourist destination in the China, according to the Ambassador.
Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) showcased Maldives in China's number one business to business platform, the China Outbound Travel and Tourism Market (COTTM). Maldives was represented with 16 participants from 9 companies from April 16 to 18 at the Beijing National Agricultural Exhibition Centre, according to MMPRC.
During the exhibition, MMPRC focused on business meetings with travel industry professionals and exploring potential future collaborations to further promote Maldives in China. Entering its 14th consecutive year, COTTM is widely recognised as the industry's most important platform and remains the only business-to-business event that focuses solely on the growing outbound tourism market in China. COTTM attracts over 4,300 Chinese trade buyers.
The Chinese tourist arrival grossed over 59,300 in February of this year, which is an increase of about 8% compared to the same month of last year, according to the latest statistics released by Ministry of Tourism.