Inside the Maldives’ Bold Presence at WTM London 2024

The Maldives is making a strong impact at the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2024, which runs from November 5 to 7 at Excel London. As one of the world’s largest travel trade events, WTM provides a platform for professionals to connect, share insights, and explore business opportunities. MMPRC is leading the Maldives’ delegation, showcasing the country’s tourism offerings to the global trade.

A Strong Presence at WTM London 2024

This year, the Maldives brings a large team to WTM, with 217 representatives from 91 industry partners. MMPRC has set up a 650 sqm stand to showcase the country’s unique tourism experiences. The stand includes 75 co-exhibitor counters, 55 B2B meeting tables, and three meeting areas. Visitors can mark locations they’ve visited on a special interactive map at the stand.

MMPRC is engaging travel professionals from the UK, a key market for the Maldives. As of September 2024, 125,016 UK visitors accounted for 8.5% of total arrivals. MMPRC highlights the Maldives as a safe and secluded destination, ideal for travelers seeking privacy and natural beauty.

Sustainability at the Core

Sustainability is a central theme at WTM. The Maldives continues to lead in eco-friendly tourism, with initiatives to preserve its delicate marine ecosystems and coral reefs. MMPRC showcases the Maldives’ efforts to maintain its natural beauty through sustainable practices. Eco-friendly resorts and marine conservation programs continue to attract environmentally-conscious travelers.

MMPRC also emphasizes the Maldives’ commitment to sustainability in tourism. The country’s green initiatives resonate with travelers from the UK, where eco-conscious trends are on the rise. This focus helps the Maldives stand out as an attractive destination for responsible tourism.

The ‘World’s Biggest Giveaway’ Campaign

The “World’s Biggest Giveaway” campaign, launched at WTM, offers 52 free holidays for each week of 2025. This year-long initiative aims to engage travelers worldwide, promoting the Maldives’ diverse offerings. The campaign will run through social media contests on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where winners will discover different parts of the Maldives.

Visit Maldives hopes the campaign will attract new visitors, especially as a year-round destination. Each contest will highlight a different aspect of the Maldives, from its beaches to vibrant culture and marine life. The giveaway also focuses on niche tourism segments, such as luxury, romance, and diving.

Addu City’s New Tourism Brand

Addu City unveiled its new tourism brand, “Addu: Beyond the Equator,” at WTM. This rebranding aims to promote Addu as a unique destination, offering a blend of natural beauty, culture, and history. The launch event, attended by Addu City officials and MMPRC representatives, introduced the city’s tourism potential.

Addu is now ready to attract global visitors. Throughout WTM, Addu representatives are meeting with travel agents and tour operators to build partnerships. The city’s rebranding highlights its unique offerings, positioning it as “The Other Side of Maldives.”

New Publications and Strategic Partnerships

At WTM Londong 2024, the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) launched Maldives Finder 2025, a comprehensive travel guide. This magazine promotes the Maldives’ rich culture, scenic landscapes, and tourism offerings. It aims to increase the country’s visibility, providing essential information for travelers.

Additionally, Travelution Magazine, the third edition, was also unveiled at WTM. Published by The Travel Guys, this resource helps travel professionals stay updated on the latest tourism developments in the Maldives.

Strengthening Infrastructure and Partnerships

Manta Air has partnered with Kaani Hotels and Resorts to provide luxury seaplane transfers for guests traveling to North Ari Atoll. This partnership ensures seamless transfers, elevating the guest experience. Known for its comfort and reliability, Manta Air enhances the arrival and departure process, showcasing the Maldives’ beauty from the skies.

In addition, Velana International Airport is expanding. A new terminal, set to open in 2025, will accommodate up to 7 million travelers annually. The airport’s growth supports the Maldives’ rising tourism demand.

Looking Ahead

The Maldives’ participation at WTM London 2024 reflects its commitment to growth, sustainability, and innovation. The country is positioning itself as a leading destination for a variety of traveler needs. Campaigns like “World’s Biggest Giveaway” and the rebranding of Addu City aim to attract visitors in 2025 and beyond.

By focusing on sustainability and diversifying tourism offerings, the Maldives is set to remain a top global destination for years to come.

Feature image by Visit Maldives

Instagram is shaking things up once again, introducing a series of updates that promise to enhance the user experience and give creators more control. From a revamped feed to longer Reels and an upcoming editing app, these changes are setting the stage for a more dynamic and flexible platform. If you’re someone who loves creating and sharing content, Instagram’s latest features are designed with you in mind. Let’s dive into what you can expect from these exciting updates.

A New Profile Feed with More Control

One of the most notable updates is Instagram’s shift from the traditional square feed to a 4:5 format. Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, announced this change on his Instagram @Mosseri, and acknowledged the mixed reactions from users. He shared on Instagram, “We launched a new tall grid on profile this week and I got a lot of feedback, both positive and quite negative.” Mosseri explained that Instagram made this decision because most photos and videos uploaded to the platform are vertical. “Rectangles do a better job showing off those photos and videos,” he said.

However, Mosseri also recognized that this change disrupted users who carefully curated their grids. To address this, Instagram is working on new tools that will allow creators to customize their thumbnails and reorder their grids. He added, “In order to maintain creator control we’re building a tool so you can re-order your entire grid and make it whatever you want.”

This evolution of the profile layout will also include the integration of Highlights directly into the grid, offering a more streamlined way for creators to showcase their favorite stories. The goal, as Mosseri put it, is a “simpler, cleaner place that maintains, and even increases, creator control.” Instagram will roll out this update gradually over the next few months, so users can anticipate more customization options soon.

Longer Reels for More Storytelling

In a move that many creators have been eagerly awaiting, Instagram has extended the maximum length of Reels to three minutes. Previously capped at 90 seconds, the change reflects the growing demand for more time to tell longer, richer stories. Instagram’s @creators account explained, “90 seconds isn’t always enough time to tell a story just the way you want.” Now, creators in the United States can create Reels up to three minutes long, giving them greater flexibility in how they engage with their audience.

Adam Mosseri also addressed this update, saying, “We’ve heard the feedback that this is just too short for those who want to share longer stories. Hope this helps.” While this feature is currently limited to the U.S., Instagram plans to expand it to other regions soon, giving creators worldwide more room to express their creativity.

Reels Tab Enhancements

Alongside the longer Reels, Instagram has introduced several updates to the Reels tab, aimed at enhancing social interaction. Now, when users open the Reels tab, they’ll see a separate feed that highlights Reels liked by their friends. This is part of Instagram’s effort to make the platform not only a space for consuming content but also a place for connecting with friends over shared interests.

As Mosseri explained in a video, “Now, when you go to the Reels tab, you’ll see a dedicated feed of reels your friends have liked or added a note to… We’re rolling this out in a handful of countries to start, more to come soon.” This new feature is designed to make it easier for users to discover trending Reels and start conversations with their friends about the content they enjoy.

The Launch of Edits A New Video Creation App

One of the most exciting announcements is the upcoming launch of Instagram’s new app, Edits, which promises to revolutionize how creators edit and produce videos. Mosseri described Edits as “more than a video editing app,” and explained that it will offer a full suite of creative tools that allow users to not only edit their Reels but also manage ideas and collaborate with friends.

The Instagram creators guide @creators on Instagram provided a sneak peek into what users can expect: “With powerful editing capabilities, creative tools and actionable insights, Edits has all the tools you need to support your creation process in one place.” This app will compete with video editing apps like CapCut, providing features such as a higher-quality camera, the ability to share drafts with friends, and detailed insights into video performance.

Mosseri elaborated on Instagram, saying, “There’s a lot going on right now, but no matter what happens, it’s our job to provide the best possible tools for creators.” Instagram will launch Edits next month, but users can already pre-order it on the iOS App Store, with an Android version coming soon.

What’s Next for Instagram Creators

Instagram’s latest updates signal a clear shift toward giving creators more flexibility and control over their content. Whether it’s the introduction of the taller grid format, the extended length of Reels, or the upcoming Edits app, these changes are designed to help users tell their stories more effectively. While some of these features are still rolling out, there’s no doubt that Instagram is evolving to meet the needs of today’s digital creators. If you’re passionate about creating content on Instagram, these updates are sure to inspire new ways to share and connect with your audience.