SPECIAL DOSSIER: MALDIVES 51 Information as a Driving Force for Tourism Business Lets Go Maldives Publishes New Guide at ITBBerlin Lets Go Maldives – one of the region’s leading luxury Tour Operators, has announced the launch of a comprehensive 2016 Maldives Travel Guide & Map at ITBBerlin. In background to this news, we asked Imdhah Shafeeg, Manager, Planning & Marketing- Lets Go Maldives to tell us more about his company. Lets Go Maldives, as a Travel Agency, continuously works to promote Maldives as a Tourist Destination. Established in 2005, we have grown to be one of the leading Travel Agencies in Maldives. In 2013 we marked our first milestone by winning the title for Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Tour Operator. Surpassing the role of a travel agency, we also promote Maldives as a destination to operators all over the world. Being a 100% local company we take great pleasure in producing marketing materials and promoting our beautiful country as a Luxury Holiday Destination. As a prime marketing tool this year, you have produced a “one of a kind” Travel Guide & Map of Maldives 2016. Please tell us more. The 2016 Travel Guide & Map will act as an informative brochure and handy guide to tourists arriving in Maldives about what they can see and do, specifically in the different atolls of the country. It will assist the tourists in making informed decisions; and this will act as an opportunity to reduce Imdhah Shafeeg Manager, Planning & Marketing, Lets Go Maldives the risk of uncertainty and disappointing experiences. Studies show that brochures and guides are very much in demand, more than digital media - noticeably in the European demography. Such travellers use these guides to define the trip and more importantly as a source or reference during their entire trip. An information search is the first step toward purchasing a product and service. This guide will raise interest in visiting a community, and people who rate it are more likely to be interested in visiting, and even remain as a prospective visitor for several years to come. Hall 5.2A / Stand 109-109a MALDIVES: WHEN TRAVELLERS BOOK According to the 2015 Maldives Visitor Survey, of the international visitors to the Maldives, 46% of international visitors to the archipelago book their trip more than 3 months in advance. It is noteworthy that 19% book their holiday 6 to 12 months in advance while 25% book their holiday 3 to 5 months in advance. One out of four visitors appear to book their holidays 1 to 2 months in advance. In contrast, 27% of visitors book their holiday less than 4 weeks prior to travelling. International visitors from most European countries book their holiday in the Maldives more than three months prior to travel. More than 60% of visitors from Western Europe and Northern Europe book more than 3 months in advance. More significantly, half of the international visitors from Britain and Germany book their holiday more than six months prior to travel to the Maldives. ITB BERLIN NEWS • Wednesday 9 th March 2016
