Fifteen Maldivians set to attend ITB Berlin 2024 are unable to participate in the fair. These individuals had purchased plane tickets and booked accommodation in the hosting city when their visas were rejected.
Fifteen individuals who were scheduled to attend the largest travel and trade fair in the world, ITB Berlin 2024 (Internationale Tourismus-Borse Berlin), are unable to participate in the event due to visa documents not being arranged, despite securing airplane tickets and hotel bookings.
Mihaaru News has learned that ten individuals scheduled to attend the fair through the Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation (MMPRC) and five individuals from the tourism industry were all unable to obtain visas. Plane tickets and reroutes for around ten individuals determined by MMPRC had also been facilitated, while the accommodation of some individuals had also been arranged.
Among the individuals who were unable to obtain visas, media officials, hosts of traditional activities, and music bands are also included.
MMPRRC had initiated the visa application process on February 20. Upon being informed of their inability to obtain visas, some of these individuals had attempted to secure visas through other European countries.
Each year, the ITB Berlin fair commences during the first week of March, featuring the largest international show for the travel and tourism industry. The fair is open from March 5 to March 7 this year.
Held annually since 1966, the ITB Berlin fair is the world’s leading travel trade show. This year's fair will see the participation of over 10,000 exhibitors from 180 countries worldwide, with Maldives contributing a delegation of 247 individuals from 106 companies to this year’s ITB Berlin fair.