Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) has officially commenced its participation at ITB Berlin 2026, taking place from 3–5 March at Messe Berlin, signalling a strong and coordinated presence as the Maldives advances its global marketing strategy in preparation for Visit Maldives Year 2027. The participation underscores the destination’s continued commitment to strengthening its international positioning and deepening engagement with key travel trade partners across Europe and beyond.
A total of 67 co-exhibitors are participating under the Visit Maldives banner this year, reflecting broad industry alignment and a unified national representation at one of the world’s most influential travel trade exhibitions. The Maldives pavilion, branded “Maldives… The Sunny Side of Life,” presents a comprehensive showcase of the country’s diverse tourism portfolio. From internationally acclaimed luxury island resorts offering overwater villas and bespoke butler services to boutique guesthouses that provide immersive local island experiences, the pavilion highlights the full spectrum of Maldivian hospitality. The display also features liveaboard diving experiences across pristine atolls, wellness and spa retreats grounded in holistic therapies, family-friendly resorts with tailored recreational facilities, and sustainability-focused properties integrating renewable energy, marine conservation, and community engagement initiatives.
The Maldives’ resort sector continues to be a defining pillar of its tourism success, with properties consistently recognised for excellence in service, privacy, and environmental stewardship. Many resorts operate on private islands, offering expansive beachfront villas, world-class culinary programmes, underwater dining concepts, and curated marine experiences such as snorkelling with manta rays and whale sharks. Sustainability remains central to resort operations, with increasing investments in coral regeneration projects, elimination of single-use plastics, solar energy integration, and eco-conscious architecture designed to preserve fragile ecosystems. This integrated approach to luxury and responsibility reinforces the Maldives’ appeal to discerning global travellers seeking both exclusivity and meaningful travel experiences.
Beyond the exhibition floor, VMC’s programme at ITB Berlin 2026 includes a series of high-level engagements aimed at reinforcing strategic partnerships and enhancing brand visibility. The widely anticipated Maldivian Night returns to the international calendar as a curated networking event, bringing together leading European tour operators, airline partners, travel trade executives, media representatives, and key industry stakeholders. The event serves as a platform to strengthen commercial relationships while celebrating the cultural richness of the Maldives.
Gastronomy forms a central element of the Maldives pavilion experience, offering visitors an authentic introduction to Maldivian cuisine inspired by centuries of Indian Ocean trade and cultural exchange. Traditional flavours featuring fresh seafood, coconut, and aromatic spices are showcased both at the pavilion and during the Maldivian Night, combining culinary appreciation with strategic networking among invited guests.
The evening is co-hosted in collaboration with Bank of Maldives (BML), which will introduce BML Swipe, an innovative digital payment solution designed to enhance financial convenience for visitors across the islands. The initiative reflects the Maldives’ broader focus on technology-driven service improvements and seamless visitor journeys, supporting the country’s ambition to provide integrated and modern tourism infrastructure across its dispersed geography.
In parallel, Visit Maldives will convene an international press conference during the fair, where a major announcement is scheduled to be unveiled to global media and industry stakeholders. The announcement is expected to outline a forward-looking strategic direction that will further strengthen the Maldives’ competitive positioning in the lead-up to 2027 and beyond, aligning marketing, product diversification, and sustainable development objectives.
Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and Managing Director of Visit Maldives Corporation, emphasised the organisation’s long-term focus, noting that as 2027 approaches, priority is being placed on enhancing value, diversifying experiences, and future-proofing the tourism sector. He highlighted ITB Berlin as a critical platform for directly communicating this vision to global stakeholders and reaffirming the Maldives’ commitment to innovation and quality.
Europe remains a cornerstone market for the Maldives, with Germany consistently ranking among the leading source markets. Switzerland and Austria also maintain solid positions within the top European contributors. Targeted initiatives across these markets focus on experiential travel segments such as diving, wellness tourism, family holidays, and sustainability-driven travel, responding to evolving consumer preferences for personalised and responsible travel experiences.
Through its expanded participation and comprehensive engagement strategy at ITB Berlin 2026, Visit Maldives aims to deepen trade relationships, increase global destination visibility, and reinforce its standing as a premium, safe, and sustainable island destination. As preparations continue toward Visit Maldives Year 2027, the country’s coordinated industry presence at ITB Berlin reflects confidence in its tourism outlook and its readiness to deliver exceptional experiences to travellers worldwide.
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