Month: December 2023

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Maldives Achieves Highest Ever Tourist Arrivals with Over 1.8 million Tourists in 2023

Maldives Achieves Highest Ever Tourist Arrivals with Over 1.8 million Tourists in 2023

The Maldives has welcomed our 1.8 millionth tourist for the year 2023, successfully reaching the arrival target set for the year. Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/ Visit Maldives) held a vibrant ceremony today to mark the momentous occasion. We reached this incredible milestone on 20th December 2023 with the arrival of Dutch native Mr Stefan Mathijs Hermans on flight EK652 from Dubai, UAE. This is Mr Hermans’ first trip to the Maldives and he is here for a family holiday with his wife and two children. This is the first year that the Maldives has ever welcomed over 1.8 million tourists and marks our highest arrival numbers to date.

MMPRC hosted a special celebratory event at Velana International Airport to commemorate this momentous milestone, joined by representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), Maldives Immigration, and Maldives Customs Service. The Minister of Tourism, Honourable Ibrahim Faisal joined the event today in addition to the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director (CEO & MD) of MMPRC, Ms Fathmath Thaufeeq. The CEO & MD of MACL, Mr Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, the Head of Airport Division, Principal Immigration Officer of Maldives Immigration, Ms Fathimath Majidha Hassan, and the Deputy Commissioner of Customs, Mr Mahmood Riyaz also joined the event celebrating this landmark achievement.

“We are immensely proud of this achievement and remain committed to reaching the targets set for our tourism industry for next year as well. Every visitor who arrives in the Maldives has their breath taken away by the natural beauty of our nation, the warm hospitality of our people, and the unmatched variety of places to stay and things to do. We are here to make sure that everyone everywhere in the world knows that their perfect holiday is waiting for them in the Sunny Side of Life,” said CEO & MD of MMPRC, Ms Fathmath Thaufeeq.

MMPRC has been continuously conducting marketing campaigns throughout the year 2023, leveraging marketing strategies and immersive promotional campaigns that showcase the unparalleled beauty and experiences that the Maldives has to offer. With our comprehensive 360-degree marketing approach, our efforts resonated with the worldwide audience, ensuring that the Maldives as a destination remained in the spotlight throughout the year for travellers seeking unforgettable experiences. We conducted a total of 349 marketing and promotional campaigns throughout the year with a combined reach of over 6,011,389,743.

Notable collaborations include joint campaigns with world-renowned brands such as BBC Studios, CNN International Commercial and Qatar Airways. Another highlight of the year was the success of the Visit Maldives Storytellers’ Conference 2023. Our strategic promotional activities aimed at improving visitor numbers during the low season through sustainable tourism experiences allowed the Maldives to further cement our place as the top destination in the world, achieving over 1 million visitors within only seven months.

The success of these campaigns was recognised on the global stage during the World Travel Awards event, where the MMPRC and the Maldives won the three highest honours of the night. The Maldives was awarded the prestigious title of World’s Leading Destination for the fourth year in a row, along with being a recipient of the newly-introduced Global Tourism Resilience Award for strategically building capacity to recover swiftly and thrive after disruptions. MMPRC was recognised for its work in promoting the Maldives as a destination with the World’s Leading Tourist Board Award for the second year in a row.

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For further information, please contact

Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation – PR Representative in Southeast Asia
Pacific World Travel Sdn Bhd
Suite 1001, Level 10, Wisma Lim Foo Yong,
86 Jalan Raja Chulan, 50200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603 2141 3899 | Email: visitmaldives@pacificworld.travel

United Opens Two New Clubs in Denver, Including Its Largest Club in the World

United Opens Two New Clubs in Denver, Including Its Largest Club in the World

New 35,000 sq.-ft. United ClubSM at Denver International Airport debuts as the airline's largest club, coinciding with the airline's nearly $1 billion investment to improve the customer experience in Denver

By the end of 2025, Denver International Airport will feature over 100,000 sq.-ft. of United Club space to accommodate more than double the number of travelers compared to previous club spaces

DENVERSept. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- United today announced the opening of its largest United Club at Denver International Airport. This new, 35,000 sq.-ft. club is located in the B Concourse, providing a modern take on the United Club experience with a new feature bar offering beer flight boards to taste a seasonal rotation of premium local and craft beers. This club is the second in a series of new locations to open in Denver this summer; last month, a new 24,000 sq.-ft. United Club opened in the A Concourse, featuring a luxurious ski lodge aesthetic and thoughtful design touches inspired by the Colorado outdoors.

The air carrier will open an additional revamped club location in 2025, and once open, Denver International Airport will feature more than 100,000 sq.-ft. of United Club space – nearly the size of two football fields – across three United Club locations and United Club Fly, a unique grab-and-go concept offering enhanced food and beverage for United Club members with quick connections. With more than two-thirds of United customers connecting to other places in Denver, the new clubs are expected to accommodate more than double the number of travelers than before.

The opening of these new clubs comes on the heels of United unveiling a new club concept, United Club FlySM, in Denver last year, that is a first-of-its-kind concept for a U.S. airline. Since opening, United Club Fly has been visited by more than 100,000 travelers who've enjoyed the elevated convenience to grab food or beverages on the way to their flight.

"The new United Club locations are designed and operated to reflect feedback from our customers and match the way their travel has evolved in recent years," said Alexander Dorow, United's Head of Clubs & Lounges. "We're growing our hub in the Mile High City, and the expansion and renovation of United Club locations represents our commitment to Colorado and our customers' experience."

B Concourse United Club

Located on the eastern side in the B Concourse near gate B44, this new club location touts 35,000 sq.-ft. across three levels and more than 600 seats, making it the largest club in United's network. The space reflects Denver's beer scene with brewery-inspired elements and a new beer tasting experience at the feature bar on the mezzanine level. At the feature bar, travelers can choose from a seasonal rotation of 10 local and craft beers on tap, with selections from Colorado breweries New Belgium, Great Divide, Denver Beer Company, Upslope, among others, to enjoy from United customized tasting boards and beer glasses. The feature bar area is distinguished by five Vestaboards displaying personalized messages and menu offerings and a custom, vibrant blue mural by visual artist Charlo Garcia Walterbach that explores the joy and discovery of new places that travel brings to life.

Inspired by Denver's urban areas, the space features details such as concrete flooring, hand-crafted decor and exposed ceilings for a sleek and modern design. Throughout the space, guests can enjoy a variety of locally-sourced furnishings and artwork, including photography, paintings, sculptures and murals that reflect the Denver community. The entryway features a sculpture inspired by the cones of the Colorado Blue Spruce. Made by Will Schlough, the piece is crafted from dozens of skateboards meant to resemble colorful pinecones. An additional statement mural by local artists, Jaime Molina and Pedro Barrios, tells the story of Denver through highly-visual, street art inspired geometric shapes.

A Concourse United Club

Influenced by the Colorado Rocky Mountains, travelers visiting the new club location on the western side of the A Concourse near gate A26 can experience a sense of place among locally-sourced furniture and decor that reflects Colorado's outdoor landscapes and experiences. Designed to feel like a ski lodge, two fireplace lounges, stacked wood, flannel patterned cushions and vintage ski decor make travelers feel like they're nestled deep in the woods on a Colorado retreat.

This 24,000 sq.-ft club offers two premium bars and 400 seats across two levels of club space. There's room to grab food and drinks, play a few rounds of shuffleboard in the game lounge or relax near the fireplaces.

The space features hand-crafted, custom artwork from local artists, including a sculptural installation from Colorado-based artist Amy Hoagland that uses glass rods to form a topographic-inspired piece that creates an optical illusion from different vantage points. A custom 'Come Fly With Us' mural by Denver-based multidisciplinary designer Adam Vicarel is prominently displayed in the club's game lounge, and it showcases a combination of colors and shapes that exemplify travel and the Colorado landscape. Additional local artwork includes a glass sculpture, mixed media collages, photographs and paintings inspired by Colorado nature. 

Both club locations include enhanced amenities, such as free high-speed Wi-Fi, self-scan entry gates for seamless club access, agent on demand kiosks for any travel planning questions and wellness rooms. Each club also serves premium culinary offerings with local flair, including oatmeal paired with Colorado honey, egg frittata inspired by the Denver omelet (ham, bell peppers, red onion, spinach and cheddar cheese), Colorado Club sandwiches and pork green chili.

This expansion is part of the carrier's nearly $1 billion investment to further improve the customer experience in Denver. Earlier this year, United announced new non-stops to six destinations including four not served by any other Denver airline and local infrastructure improvements such as 12 new gates set to open in the A and B concourses by the middle of 2024 – giving United 90 total gates, the most at Denver International Airport.

For more information on United Club locations, visit united.com/unitedclub, and view media assets here.

About United 

At United, Good Leads The Way. With U.S. hubs in ChicagoDenverHoustonLos AngelesNew York/NewarkSan Francisco and Washington, D.C., United operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers, and is now the largest airline in the world as measured by available seat miles. For more about how to join the United team, please visit www.united.com/careers and more information about the company is at www.united.com. United Airlines Holdings, Inc., the parent company of United Airlines, Inc., is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol "UAL". 

SOURCE: United Airlines

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MMPRC Secures Second Consecutive Win as World’s Leading Tourist Board 2023!

MMPRC Secures Second Consecutive Win as World’s Leading Tourist Board 2023!

Release Date: 4 December 2023

The Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives) is proud to announce our achievement at the World Travel Awards 2023—the title of World’s Leading Tourist Board for the second consecutive year. This accolade stands as a testament to MMPRC's dedication to promoting the Maldives as the premier global tourist destination. We earned this award amidst a competitive landscape featuring 25 nominees including Dubai Tourism, Philippines Department of Tourism, Tourism Malaysia, and VisitBritain among others. MMPRC's consistent excellence and impactful initiatives set us apart from the competition, securing this globally-esteemed recognition for the second year in a row.

The year 2023 witnessed monumental milestones that underscored MMPRC’s steadfast commitment to tourism promotion. A total of 348 promotional activities were undertaken by 23rd November 2023, accumulating a total reach of over 4,534,603,078. This significantly bolstered the Maldives' visibility as the ultimate tourist destination across continents. A pivotal milestone was the resounding success of the Visit Maldives Storytellers’ Conference 2023, a major campaign that served as a distinguished platform, elegantly showcasing the Maldives' rich cultural heritage and natural allure with clever use of the Maldives’ special ‘Redefining MICE’ offerings, all creatively delivered within a sustainably-minded concept. The activity captivated global audiences and exemplified MMPRC's dedication to authentic storytelling and compelling marketing strategies. This win signifies the collective effort of our supporters worldwide who value MMPRC’s dynamic marketing efforts in promoting the Maldives by voting for us.

MMPRC is the national tourist board of the Maldives, mandated with all the promotional and marketing activities of the Maldives as a tourist destination. We promote the Maldives brand across key global markets through a comprehensive 360-degree marketing approach encompassing travel trade shows, media campaigns, digital marketing, and collaborative engagements with stakeholders. With a group of passionate marketing professionals committed to nurturing the Maldives brand identity, MMPRC aspires for the Maldives to be the world's most sought-after holiday destination, embodying timeless appeal.

Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards are the most prestigious honours program in the global travel and tourism industry, recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence. The selection of winners is carried out by a voting system consisting of qualified travel professionals working in the travel and tourism industry along with consumer buyers.

The Maldives won the two most prestigious titles at the event held at Dubai’s iconic Burj Al Arab on the 1st of December 2023. We secured the title of World’s Leading Destination 2023 in addition to MMPRC winning the title of World’s Leading Tourist Board. This marks the fourth consecutive year that the Maldives has won the world’s most prestigious tourism industry title. The Maldives also received the newly introduced Global Tourism Resilience Award at this event, given to the five leading destinations and countries for strategically building capacity to recover swiftly and thrive after disruptions.

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For further information, please contact

Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation – PR Representative in Southeast Asia
Pacific World Travel Sdn Bhd
Suite 1001, Level 10, Wisma Lim Foo Yong,
86 Jalan Raja Chulan, 50200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603 2141 3899 | Email: visitmaldives@pacificworld.travel

Maldives is The World’s Leading Destination Of 2023!

Maldives is The World’s Leading Destination Of 2023!

Release Date: 4 December 2023

Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/ Visit Maldives) is proud to reveal a monumental accomplishment for the destination - the Maldives has emerged as the World's Leading Destination at the esteemed World Travel Awards 2023. This prestigious recognition was earned by the Maldives for a fourth consecutive year amidst fierce competition from 17 acclaimed global destinations, including Dubai, Indonesia, New Zealand, Spain, and Vietnam. This award further solidifies the Maldives' consistent excellence and unmatched charm that distinguish us as the top destination in the world.

The Maldives once again claimed the two most distinguished awards at the World Travel Awards event held at Dubai’s iconic Burj Al Arab on the 1st of December 2023. In addition to securing the World’s Leading Destination 2023 title, MMPRC was honoured as the World’s Leading Tourist Board 2023, marking the second consecutive year of winning this prestigious title. These wins are testament to the Maldives’ exceptional standing in the global tourism landscape and the enduring appeal of the Sunny Side of Life to travellers worldwide.

The Maldives was also nominated as the World's Leading Beach Destination 2023, the World's Leading Dive Destination 2023, the World's Leading Honeymoon Destination 2023, the World's Leading Island Destination 2023, and the World's Most Romantic Destination 2023. This exceptional fourth consecutive win reaffirms the Maldives' commitment to delivering unparalleled experiences, and we extend our gratitude to our visitors, industry partners, and stakeholders whose steadfast support has been pivotal in achieving this milestone.

This year has been a standout year for the Maldives, brimming with remarkable and strategic initiatives. A total of 348 promotional activities were undertaken by 23rd November 2023, accumulating a total reach of over 4,534,603,078, significantly bolstering the Maldives' visibility as the ultimate tourist destination across continents. The collective efforts and steadfast support of tourism industry stakeholders played an instrumental role in elevating the destination to global recognition and

desirability. A notable highlight was the Visit Maldives Storytellers’ Conference 2023, an initiative that artfully showcased the Maldives' rich cultural heritage and natural splendour, captivating audiences on a global scale. More significant campaigns include collaborations with esteemed partners such as CNN International Commercial and BBC Studios amongst others. Another standout achievement in 2023 was the welcoming of the one-millionth visitor within only seven months.

The World Travel Awards was established in 1993. It is the most prestigious honours programme in the global travel and tourism industry recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence. It serves to acknowledge, reward, and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry. The selection of winners is carried out by a voting system consisting of qualified travel professionals working with the travel and tourism industry along with consumer buyers.

The Maldives also received the newly introduced Global Tourism Resilience Award at this event, given to the five leading destinations and countries for strategically building capacity to recover swiftly and thrive after disruptions.

-End-

For further information, please contact

Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation – PR Representative in Southeast Asia
Pacific World Travel Sdn Bhd
Suite 1001, Level 10, Wisma Lim Foo Yong,
86 Jalan Raja Chulan, 50200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603 2141 3899 | Email: visitmaldives@pacificworld.travel