The islandchief

Why is Maldives perceived as an expensive holiday destination by foreign travel agents? Is it because we are unable to market other products effectively?

PUBLISHED March 02, 2019

Mohamed Mirsaad

Managing Director

Travel Connection Maldives

It is because we do not have a choice of products and needs diversification, efficient policies and regulations. Although Maldives is widely seen as an expensive holiday destination, many foreign travel agencies continue promoting and recommending Maldives to their customers considering: • Maldives retains its unrivalled luxurious impression that keeps on attracting those seeking comfort and tranquility - in addition to a lot of romance. • Maldives is a place that would make anyone visiting experience its calm and serene environment, where anyone could simply gaze at its white-sand beaches, crystalline lagoons and azure waters. • Despite the Maldives being a popular honeymoon destination, it also receives a lot of attraction from family vacationers. • Maldives is also a perfect avenue for food fanatics, history buffs and adventurers. • International hotel brands combined with an array of world-class services are what any travel agent would persuade their valued customers to choose Maldives as their holiday destination.

Shaaz Waleed

Group CEO

Resort Life Maldives

Many new segments of tourism among Maldivian destinations could be promoted within the Maldives. New types of activities could enable a segment for budget holidays. Active holidays for budget market such as night camping, crossing atolls on barefoot in atolls like Gaaf Dhaal and Gaaf Alifu could be themed as “Walking across the largest island chain”. Maldives itself could be branded as a summer destination.

Mohamed Ali

Managing Director

Moodhu Holidays

MMPRC needs to put a lot of effort to change the perception. Maldives is no longer an expensive destination. We are a mix, and we have everything now, from budget to super luxury.

Yoosuf Riffath

CEO of Capital Travel & Tours

President, Association of Travel Agents (ATA)

Flights are expensive. Qatar Airways had airfares at US$ 500 three years ago from Malé to Europe, today the same route with the same airline is over US$ 1200, transfers are very high and continue to be a monopoly with prices between US$ 450 to US$ 550 by seaplane. Tickets on domestic flights start at US$ 350, yet flights with in Europe are between US$ 60 to US$ 80. Operators contract US$ 600 to US$ 1200 per couple, per day on 4 to 5 star resorts, and a week later drops 30% to 40% off.

Ahmed Zubair Adam

Managing Director

Blue Horizon

Resorts and other products in Maldives are different, we have to get our marketing right to address the issues and bring necessary changes to cater to the needs.

Mohamed Firaq

Managing Director

Inner Maldives Holidays

We have not been able to market the Maldives adequately, resulting the perception of Maldives as an expensive destination by foreign travel agents, especially with all the changes that has evolved in the past 6 years.

Abdulla Suood

President

Maldives Association of Travel Agents & Tour Operators (MATATO)

Maldives has different types of products; Resorts, Guesthouses, Safari Boats, Hotels. In recent years, we have focused too much only on wellness and spa tourism. We need to put more effort on diverse segments. I think MMPRC and Tourism Ministry has a good plan and will deliver things in time

Ibrahim Shahid

President

National Boating Association of Maldives

Maldives is blessed with the ocean. We need to focus more on selling Ocean based tourism than wellness and other areas. Safari boats have been in the industry for more than 40 years , diverse tourism promotions must include this industry.