NHGAM Sets Sights on Southeast Asia with ‘I AM Maldives Roadshow’ in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur

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 launch of the ‘I AM Maldives Southeast Asia Roadshow’, a targeted trade initiative aimed at strengthening the Maldives’ presence in key Asian markets.

The roadshow is scheduled to take place in Hong Kong on April 13 and in Kuala Lumpur on April 15, 2026.

A delegation comprising 20 companies and more than 50 participants—including guesthouses, resorts, hotels, and travel agencies—will represent the diversity of Maldivian tourism offerings. More than 120 travel trade professionals, including tour operators, travel agents, and key decision-makers, are expected to attend across both cities.

Ahmed Waheed, Vice President of NHGAM, said Southeast Asia holds significant untapped potential for the Maldives.

“Southeast Asia holds tremendous potential for the Maldives and deserves our full and renewed attention. This roadshow marks our commitment to re-establishing our presence in the region and creating the partnerships needed to drive sustainable growth.”

Recent tourism figures underscore the importance of the region. Greater China, including Hong Kong, recorded 706,033 arrivals to the Maldives in 2025, marking a 12.1 percent increase from the previous year and maintaining its position as the top source market. Malaysia also showed strong growth, with arrivals rising by 25.2 percent to 24,847 visitors, up from 19,846 the year before. Overall, Southeast Asia contributed 72,128 visitors, reflecting 6 percent growth and accounting for 3.2 percent of total arrivals.

Abdulla Nasheed, President of NHGAM, highlighted the roadshow’s importance for local tourism businesses.

“The ‘I AM Maldives Southeast Asia Roadshow’ represents a significant milestone in our efforts to promote local island tourism in key international markets. Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur present exciting opportunities for our local island tourism sector. Through this initiative, we aim to connect our guesthouse operators and local tourism businesses with these promising markets, creating sustainable growth opportunities for our members.”

Ibrahim Shiury, CEO and Managing Director of Visit Maldives, also emphasised the strategic value of the initiative.

“Hong Kong and Malaysia are important and high-potential markets for the Maldives. This roadshow is a strategic step to further strengthen our presence in these regions and introduce the unique offerings of the Maldives to a wider audience.”

The ‘I AM Maldives Southeast Asia Roadshow’ is positioned as more than a trade event. It signals a broader strategic push by NHGAM to expand into Asia’s most promising travel markets as part of its 2026 international outreach calendar.

With Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur marking the first stops, the initiative aims to ensure the Maldives remains a top-of-mind destination for travel trade partners and travellers across the region.