The Maldives made history hosting the first ever World Travel Writers’ Conference, an initiative developed Maldives TV. Held at Bandos Resort in Kaafu Atoll on Sunday the 17th of September 2017, 20 international Travel Bloggers, Influencers and You-Tubers attended the first annual event. This is the second conference initiative organised by Maldives TV, the first being ‘Next Generation – Anything Is Possible,’ featuring Cassandra De Pecol, held on the first of April this year.
One of our Indulge Magazine Maldives team members, Australian Travel Writer and Blogger Kristie Murray, attended Maldives TV’s World Travel Writers’ Conference.
Kristie shares a little with us from attending the prestigious Maldives TV event:
The day’s formalities commenced with Mr. Ibrahim Nasreen (Director of Marketing and Ecommerce), Mr. Samhaan Hameed (Maldives TV) and from the Minister of Tourism Mr Moosa Zameer addressing the event’s attendees.
New Zealand based international blogging star Elizabeth Carlson from Young Adventuress was the first keynote speaker of the World Travel Writers’ Conference. Her keynote speech, ‘Sharing Experiences and the Art of Story Telling’ captured the power of sharing an authentic travel experience. Liz captivated industry experts by sharing insights of her own blogging success. Liz also spoke about the power of sharing her own real and raw travel experiences with her audience. She says more personal the experience, the more her audience respond.
Sunny Umar, Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Maldives’ lead PR and Marketing firm, Maldives Getaways and co-founder of one of it’s initiatives Guesthouses Maldives, was the second keynote speaker. Sunny spoke about the significance of cultural tourism to the archeological history of the Maldives. He took the audience on a journey back in time to see how just far tourism in the Maldives has come; from the beginning of Buddhism, to the start of Islam, to the establishment of luxury resorts, the opening of the guesthouse industry in 2011 and to the present with the filming of Star Wars and underwater restaurants and spas.
Throughout the day three Maldives focused discussion panels took place. The aim being for Maldives Tourism Industry experts and stakeholders to gain valuable insight from the world’s most influential Travel Bloggers on how to market Maldives tourism more successfully on a global scale.
Key ideas from the discussions include:
- Promoting budget tourism and the guesthouse industry of Maldives, by using Bloggers and Influencers with budget travel niches and audiences to promote low cost Maldives to their global audiences.
- The power and potential of influencer marketing – using Influencers and Bloggers to show Maldives properties and destinations live on social media. Viewers will essentially get to follow along every step of the way and see first hand what an authentic Maldives vacation looks like. This has the power to turbo charge Maldives tourist arrivals and increase property bookings and bed nights.
- Bloggers can educate potential travellers on how to plan their own Maldives holiday to suit their budget. With so many islands, properties and holiday options currently in the Maldives, how do travellers choose just one island and one property for their vacation? Bloggers have the power to inform and show potential travellers, giving them a little Maldives know-how.
- Using surfing as a means to market the destination. Some of the 20 invitees were not aware that there are surf breaks here in the Maldives. The idea of using surf bloggers to promote surfing islands, local surfers and holding prestigious surfing events was discussed, especially to Australian audiences.
- Promoting travel to an American audience – many Americans have never even heard of the Maldives. This has the potential for Maldives to break into a new market.
Some of the other big name Travel Bloggers who attended the World Travel Writers’ Conference include Ana Patricia Velarmino (Trish) (@PsImOnMyWay), Tom Grond (@TravelTomTom), Janet Newenham (www.journalistontherun), Stuart Vincent Forster (@GoEatDo), Jayne Claire Gorman (GirlTweetsWorld), Kim Juan(@kimijuan).
A formal Gala Dinner was held at Aadaran Select Hudhuran Fushi the following evening, the 18th of September. The impressive opening performances for the evening were from former Maldivian Idol contestants. Travel Bloggers also made thank you speeches and a Maldives TV awards ceremony was held recognising the attending Bloggers and key sponsors. Local musicians and a traditional male drumming group provided the evening’s entertainment. The night was a true celebration of the success of Maldives TV’s first ever World Travel Writers Conference Maldives and with it came their announcement of the 2nd edition of the annual event, happening April 2018.
