The Maldives Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB) and representatives from tourism industry in the Maldives participated at the ITB Fair held in Berlin from 8 – 12 March 2006.

10,856 destinations and companies consisting of 8,727 foreign exhibitors and 2,129 German exhibitors took part in ITB 2006, which attracted over 162,000 visitors, among which 94,553 were trade visitors.

On the first day of the fair, Members from the German parliament's committee on tourism visited the Maldivian stand. The German dignitaries met with the representatives from the Maldivian tourism sector. Maldivian Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Dr. Mahamood Shougee was among the Maldivian team. The members of the German Parliament questioned about the Maldives tourism after the December 26 tragedy, Tsunami and commended the progress Maldivian tourism has made since then. In his speech at the meeting Dr. Shougee noted the assistance of the German government and people in the aftermath of the Tsunami and thanked them.

During the fair MTPB also hosted a press conference in which 40 media personnel participated. The Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Dr. Mahamood Shougee, Maldivian High Commissioner to the UK, Hon. Hassan Sobir, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom from the Maldives Promotion Board, Ibrahim Saleem (Bandhu) from Island Aviation and Mr. Hussein Afeef – an entrepreneur in the tourism industry, were among the Maldivian panel at the press conference.

At the Maldives stand, Dr. Shaugee also gave interviews on the progress of the Maldivian tourism industry since the tsunami and the industry's future outlook to the BBC's Fast Track programme and ‘Deutsche Welle' – one of the most popular German radio stations that broadcast nationally and internationally.

A Maldivian Evening was also held at Berlin on the night of March 08, 2006 where over 500 tour operators, travel trade and media were in attendance in addition to the Maldivain contingent. In this function guests were entertained by Maldivian traditional dances and live music by ‘Sultans'. A raffle draw was held during the evening and 5 holidays were given to the Maldives .

The Maldivian stand at this was designed by Ahmed Asif (Maizan).

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