The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) together with 12 representatives from the tourism industry of Maldives are taking part at the International French travel Market (IFTM) Top Resa held in Paris, France from 20-23 September 2016. Representatives of MMPRC together with the industry participants will be reaching out to the French speaking market at IFTM Top Resa 2016.
Maldives will be showcased at a 60 Sqm contemporary design setting portraying colourful imagery of the unique aspects of the destination‟s tourism product. Together with the strong destination brand message, “Maldives...the sunny side of life”, the “Visit Maldives Year 2016” are being communicated prominently through branding on Top Resa‟s most prominent spaces such as 10ft Arch at the entrance 5 banners outside the exhibition, sponsorship of floor tiles and advertisements on the cover of the IFTM Top Resa Daily news.
This is the 38 th year of Top Resa and it was first held in Deauville in 1978. It was then targeted for the leisure travellers. In 2008, IFTM Top Resa moved to Paris and became a multi-target show covering all grounds of travel: business, leisure and events. Today, major players in the leisure travel, event management and business travel gather to share and learn through the impressive range of destinations present, and discovering new products and exhibitors of the latest technological solutions sector. A total of 1560 new and returning brands occupying 492 stands took part in IFTM TOP RESA 2015 which is a 30% increase compared to 2015.
160 destinations took part in Top Resa 2015, a trade event attended mainly by French tour operators. French market has experienced a downfall in the past three years, by taking part in this fair it is aimed to revive and regain the market share.
This year‟s marketing plan for the French speaking market have been strategized to strengthen the destination‟s presence in the market and aggressively market Maldives through extensive PR and marketing campaigns targeting the French travel trade and consumers. Whilst positively increasing the arrivals from France, these campaigns will help the destination reach its targets in 2016 and in turn help achieve the target of 1.5 visitors during the Visit Maldives Year 2016.
To boost the number of arrivals from the French market „Interface Tourism‟ was appointed as a PR to overlook the French market and conduct promotional activities. A road show was held from 9-12 May 2016 in Paris, Lille, Lyon and Marseille to showcase Maldives as a tourism destination to the French agents and wholesalers.
This was a great platform for the Maldivian resorts, hotels and agents to meet most of the top traders that sell
Maldives interact and educate during a uniquely inspired event that took place in all four cities.
42,024 arrivals were recorded from France by the end of 2015. France is among the top 10 generating markets
to the Maldives with a 3.9% of the market share, by the end of this period.