Visit Maldives concludes ATM 2026 with strengthened partnerships

Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) has strengthened its partnerships with major international airlines and stepped up efforts to expand the Maldives’ appeal in the Gulf market following its participation at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 in Dubai.

VMC signed Memoranda of Understanding with Emirates and Qatar Airways during the four-day event, establishing frameworks for cooperation in destination marketing, travel trade engagement, familiarization programs and joint promotional activities.

The Maldives attended ATM 2026 with its largest tourism industry delegation at an international travel trade event this year. The delegation included 165 representatives from 74 tourism companies, along with officials from VMC, the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and the Maldivian Embassy in the United Arab Emirates.

During the event, Maldivian tourism representatives held business-to-business meetings and discussions with airlines, tour operators, travel agents, media organizations and tourism bodies.

According to VMC, discussions centred on improving air connectivity, expanding market reach, developing joint marketing opportunities and adapting to changing traveler preferences.

The corporation also placed greater emphasis on attracting younger and experience-focused travelers from the GCC, while continuing to promote the Maldives’ established luxury tourism offering.

Among the experiences highlighted were diving, big-game and night fishing, wellness, family holidays, cultural tourism and visits to local islands.

“ATM 2026 has given us an important opportunity to listen to our partners, understand how traveler demand is evolving and strengthen the relationships that help convert interest in the Maldives into actual travel,” said Abdulla Yasir, CEO and Managing Director of VMC.

Yasir said the Maldives would continue to maintain its premium tourism positioning while broadening its destination offering, improving connectivity and creating more opportunities for tourism businesses in key markets.

VMC also used the event to outline the direction of Visit Maldives Year 2027, a program expected to involve resorts, tourism businesses, local islands, councils and other stakeholders.

The program will feature activities across multiple tourism segments, with the aim of showcasing a wider range of experiences in the Maldives and promoting the destination throughout the year.

The Middle East remains an important source market for Maldivian tourism, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia identified by VMC as areas with further growth potential. Gulf aviation hubs also play a significant role in connecting the Maldives with travelers from Europe and other international markets.

VMC said it will continue engagement with airlines, travel trade partners, media and tourism stakeholders following ATM 2026, with a focus on strengthening demand across established and emerging markets.