NHGAM Takes ‘I AM Maldives’ Roadshow to CIS Cities

The National Hotels and Guesthouse Association of Maldives (NHGAM), in collaboration with Visit Maldives and the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO), has announced the “I AM Maldives CIS Region Roadshow,” a targeted trade mission promoting Maldivian tourism in three major CIS travel markets.

The roadshow will be held in Moscow on September 21, St. Petersburg on September 23, and Almaty on September 25, 2026.

The Maldivian delegation will comprise more than 50 representatives from 25 companies, including guesthouses, resorts, hotels, liveaboards and travel agencies. Together, they will showcase the breadth and diversity of the Maldives’ tourism offerings to more than 180 travel professionals expected to attend across the three cities. Participants will include tour operators, travel agents and key industry decision-makers.

The initiative comes amid continued growth in visitor arrivals from the region. Russia recorded 278,761 arrivals to the Maldives in 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 23.8 percent.

According to the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Russia remained the Maldives’ second-largest source market in 2026, accounting for 209,815 arrivals as of September 2 and representing 14.6 percent of total tourist arrivals.

Kazakhstan ranked as the Maldives’ 11th-largest source market as of June 2026, recording 18,602 arrivals and a 1.8 percent market share. The wider Central Asian market also remains a high-potential area for the destination, with strengthening air connectivity across the CIS region expected to support further growth.

“The ‘I AM Maldives CIS Region Roadshow’ represents a significant milestone in our efforts to promote local island tourism in key international markets. Moscow, St. Petersburg and Almaty present exciting opportunities for our local island tourism sector. Through this initiative, we aim to connect Maldivian tourism industry businesses with these promising markets, creating sustainable growth opportunities for our members,” said NHGAM President Abdulla Nasheed.

NHGAM Vice President Ahmed Waheed said the roadshow would help reinforce the Maldives’ position in one of its most important tourism regions.

“The CIS region is among the most important and high-potential markets for the Maldives. This roadshow is a strategic step towards further strengthening our presence in these markets and introducing the unique offerings of the Maldives to a wider audience,” Waheed said.

More than a trade event, the “I AM Maldives CIS Region Roadshow” reflects NHGAM’s sustained effort to expand the destination’s presence across strategically important international markets.

As part of the association’s ambitious calendar of overseas promotional activities for 2026, the three-city roadshow aims to keep the Maldives and its diverse tourism experiences at the forefront of travel trade partners’ and travellers’ minds throughout the CIS region.