The Maldives is strengthening its presence in the South East Asian travel market as Visit Maldives Corporation participates in PATA Travel Mart (PTM) 2026, taking place from 18 to 20 August at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) in Sarawak, Malaysia.
The participation brings the Maldives together with leading travel trade professionals from across the Asia Pacific and beyond, providing a platform to strengthen B2B engagement, promote the diversity of the Maldivian tourism offering and build new business relationships across key markets.
Recognised as one of the Asia Pacific region’s established travel trade platforms, PTM 2026 brings together more than 1,000 delegates from over 60 global destinations, alongside more than 10,000 pre-scheduled B2B appointments. The Maldives is represented by Visit Maldives Corporation joined by three industry partners: Swarn by Hawks, ICOM BLUE SEAVIEW, and AAA Hotels & Resorts.
The event also features the PATA Forum and Workshops, networking functions and eco-tours, offering opportunities for destinations and travel industry stakeholders to strengthen professional and commercial connections.
Commenting on the participation, CEO and Managing Director of Visit Maldives Corporation, Mr. Ibrahim Shiuree, said:
“South East Asia continues to be an important region for the Maldives, and PATA Travel Mart provides a valuable platform to strengthen our engagement with the travel trade and build meaningful partnerships,” said Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and Managing Director of Visit Maldives Corporation. “Our participation allows us to showcase the Maldives beyond its established luxury appeal, highlighting the wide range of experiences available across our islands, while gaining valuable insights into evolving traveller preferences and market opportunities.”
During PTM 2026, Visit Maldives Corporation and participating industry partners will conduct one-on-one business meetings with travel trade representatives, distribute destination information and promotional materials, and engage with industry stakeholders to better understand emerging travel trends and consumer preferences. Promotional videos will also be screened at the Maldives stand throughout the event.
Malaysia remains an important source market for the Maldives, with 24,847 visitors recorded from Malaysia in 2025. From January to June 2025, Malaysia contributed 11,269 arrivals, while 10,446 Malaysian visitors were recorded from January to June 2026.
Across the wider South East Asian region, the Maldives recorded 72,128 arrivals in 2025. During the first six months of 2025, the region contributed 35,198 visitors, compared with 31,776 arrivals recorded from January to June 2026.
Through its participation at PTM 2026, Visit Maldives Corporation aims to maintain destination visibility, strengthen the Maldives brand across South East Asia and support continued growth from key markets. The participation also forms part of ongoing efforts to position the Maldives as a preferred year-round destination offering a broad range of experiences to different traveller segments.
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