The Maldives is strengthening its presence in the Indian travel market this week, as Visit Maldives takes part in South Asia’s largest tourism trade exhibition.
The event, SATTE 2026, is being held from the 25th to the 27th of February at the Yashobhoomi Convention Center in New Delhi.
More than 2,100 exhibitors from over 50 countries are attending the exhibition, which provides destinations and travel brands with access to global buyers and industry leaders. India’s outbound and domestic travel market is currently valued at around 45 billion US dollars, making it one of the fastest-growing tourism markets in the region.
Visit Maldives is joined by 22 co-exhibitors from across the Maldivian tourism industry. Together, they are promoting what the destination brands as the “Sunny Side of Life” to both business and consumer audiences. India remains one of the Maldives’ leading source markets. Official figures show more than 130,000 Indian visitors travelled to the Maldives in 2024, with numbers rising to over 131,000 in 2025.
At the Maldives pavilion, delegates can take part in one-to-one business meetings, collect promotional materials and view destination films. Organisers are also conducting a trade survey to gather insights into market trends and traveller preferences, with participants entered into a raffle draw. In a nod to Maldivian culture, visitors are being offered personalised whale shark-shaped bookmarks printed in Dhivehi, highlighting the country’s identity as an ocean nation.
The participation forms part of Visit Maldives’ wider marketing strategy for India this year. Planned activities include familiarisation trips for media and celebrities, joint promotions with airline partners, television and digital advertising campaigns, and a multi-city roadshow across key Indian markets.
Officials say the aim is not only to increase visitor arrivals, but also to promote sustainable tourism and responsible travel, while strengthening long-term partnerships across India and South Asia. Visit Maldives says it remains committed to expanding its footprint in the region and supporting sustainable growth for the country’s tourism industry.