Visit Maldives unveils virtual event management platform

Visit Maldives has launched its first virtual event management platform. Named ‘My Virtual Maldives’, the platform will amplify audience engagement and networking by connecting attendees from across the globe through hosted online events, ranging from virtual exhibitions, roadshows, webinars and travel agent training, as well as live marketing events targeting the travel trade and consumers.

The web-based format allows for the highest accessibility and easy navigation, enabling attendees to experience the power of going virtual. Platform features include:

• AI-powered matchmaking
• Smart lead generation
• Virtual booths
• Hybrid engagement and networking tools
• Real-time support
• Live video calls and text chat
• Secured video meetings with screen-sharing capabilities
• Dedicated networking lounge (for 2, 4 or 10 people)
• Fully branded Auditorium with live chat enabled
• Poll and Q&A features
• Access by an unlimited number of attendees at any given time. Users can conduct business in their own time zone and local language
• Games and contests to boost attendee engagement

Every area of the platform depicts a unique charm of the Maldives presented in 3D graphics. The ‘Isles Main Lobby’ of the platform portrays the natural beauty and the unique geographical formation of the scattered islands surrounded by turquoise lagoons. The ‘Isles Main Lobby’ directs attendees to the different areas of the platform. The ‘Barefoot Beach Conference’ is based on a ‘movie under the stars’ theme and will host webinars, virtual conferences and livestreams, whilst the ‘Sunny Side Exhibition Hall’, inspired by the Maldives’ overwater villas, is for Virtual Exhibitions.

The ‘Underwater Networking Suite’, depicting the Maldives’ world-famous underwater dining experiences, is for one-on-one meetings during events, the ‘Social Wall’ for attendees to interact through comments and likes, and the ‘Contest Area’ for raffle draws. Additionally, there are other functions such as translation services, interactive features for engagement and a support function that assists users in navigating the platform with ease.

A range of virtual events targeting the travel trade and consumers in key target markets are scheduled to be held on ‘My Virtual Maldives’ throughout the course of the year. These events will also create the opportunity for participation by the Maldives Tourism Industry partners, as with other online and offline activities hosted by Visit Maldives.

Thoyyib Mohammed, managing director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) said: “Our digital-first strategy has greatly helped in keeping the Maldives front-of-mind amongst consumers over the past year and leaving a mark on the Maldives’ target markets. Visit Maldives has been utilising traditional, as well as creative and innovative platforms and means to market the Maldives. The launch of ‘My Virtual Maldives’ is a big step forward in marketing the Maldives as a prime tourist destination. The platform will further efforts to revitalise tourism to the Maldives in the face of the pandemic.”