MORE Australians are opting to head to the Maldives, beating out Japan to become the 10th largest source market for the destination, Maldives Marketing & PR Corporation Managing Director Thoyyib Mohamed told TD on Fri.
Speaking during a media event as part of the corporation’s first Australian roadshow, Mohamed said Australia currently accounts for 2.4% of the Maldives’ visitor arrivals numbers.
He said the tropical nation had seen a shift in Australians’ travel patterns, which he accounted for people getting “bored” with Bali, and opting to explore the Maldives instead.
“I think Australians have been bored with Bali and Indonesia, you need to explore the Maldives more, there’s a product for everyone,” he said.
Mohamed emphasised that although luxury is booming, with options ranging from overwater bungalows fitted with slides, to 100% solar-powered resorts and underwater rooms and spas, there’s more to the Maldives.
“The guesthouse concept [bed and breakfasts ranging from two to 30 rooms] has boomed, we have so many now because it’s affordable,” he said, adding that liveaboards such as luxury yachts, are a popular option.
He also called for more connectivity to the destination out of Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, identifying “huge potential” and adding that Qantas could be “more aggressive in marketing the Maldives”.
This year, Maldives Marketing & PR Corporation is aiming to surpass last year’s figure of 37,000 inbound tourists from Australia and is currently tracking at a growth rate of about 6%.
More from the Maldives on page five.
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Source: traveldaily