Male', 28 November 2010; Maldives Tourism Promotion Board together with tourism industry participated at the DEMA fair which was held in Las Vegas, NV from 17th - 20th November 2010. Maldives Tourism Promotion board also participated in the San Francisco Bay area mini trade show in San Mateo, California on 22nd November. 

This year the 34th annual DEMA Show took place on November 17-20, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. On an average more than 575 Exhibitors showcased their products and services, and more than 9,000 industry professionals registered, including buyers, travel buyers, instructors, and other diving professionals. The main aim to participate in this annual Dive fair is to help strengthen the presence of Maldives in USA market & to establish marketing networks with USA as DEMA serves to be an ideal platform for the Maldives Live aboard safaris & relevant agencies. Furthermore, Maldives stand updated the travel trade and visitors with relevant information and provided information on the packages offered from the Maldives stand. Discussions to advertize Maldives were carried out with several interested diving magazines. As previous year Maldives stand continued to promote the "new7wonders of Nature" during the exhibition. 

San Francisco Bay area mini trade show in San Mateo, California 

The Mini trade show was held in San Francisco bay area in San Mateo, CA on this past Monday, November 22. Maldives Tourism promotion board participated in the road show with over 35 travel professionals, local Medias and exhibitors include Seychelles Tourism Board, Baden Baden Tourism, Zagreb Tourist Board & Convention Bureau, Hoteliers, Resorts, Travel agencies and Distinguished International Hotels.   During the 3-hour event the local media and agents met with the exhibitors. The Maldivian delegation updated the media on new developments and products in the Maldives & held discussions with interested parties on ways to promote Maldives.  

Statistics:  In 2009, a total of 9,438 tourists from USA market showed a growth of 6.6% percent compared to 2008.  The first tenth months of this year records a total of 9,101travellers from the USA visiting Maldives, signifying an increase of 21.8% percent compared to the corresponding period in 2009.   

END. 

For more information, please contact:

Mohamed Adam - deputy Director
Maldives Tourism Promotion Board
Malé, Maldives
Telephone: +960 332 3228
Facsimile: +960 332 3229
Email: mtpb@visitmaldives.com
Website: www.visitmaldives.com