MBA Managerial Project: Social Media's Impact on Maldives Tourism

This MBA managerial project examines the significant influence of social media on the tourism industry in the Maldives. The study investigates how platforms like Trip Advisor shape consumer behavior and travel decisions, ultimately impacting the country's tourism development. The research addresses the relationship between social media marketing and tourism growth, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of the industry. The project includes a detailed literature review, research methodology, and potential outcomes, with the aim of understanding the impact of social media on the tourism sector and offering recommendations for future development. The project also covers key aspects of the UOB MBA program, including its aims, learning outcomes, and assessment criteria. The research uses Harvard referencing to support its findings and recommendations, providing a well-structured and comprehensive analysis of the topic.

Introduction
Topic: The topic which has been chosen for the purpose of analysis can be understood to be `
The influence of social media on tourism development at Maldives. `
Background information
The social media has a huge influence on the overall performance of the tourism industry
as a whole. In association with this, it is critical to mention that the reason why the social media
is given considerate importance is because the consumers generally engage with social
networking sites in order to research tips, work on informed decisions about the travels and to
share their overall traveling experience in consideration to a particular restaurant or an airline
company. With consideration to this, the various websites like the Trip Advisor also tend to have
an influence on the industry which has a monthly visitor list of 50 million unique customers who
seek to attain travel information and related advice from the sources.
The consumer opinion has become relatively popular due to the reason that it is
unfiltered. The consumers are not provided with any incentives or other bonuses which will
make their replies varying in nature. These consumers like to list what they feel and provide an
honest review. As these reviews are honest and authentic in nature, there are more than 200
million reviews as well as the opinions which are posted on Trip Advisor. Hence, Maldives can
be stated to be the island nation in South Asia and is 1000km away from the Asian continent.
The place is a popular tourist destination, the popularity of which has become increasingly
important due to the increase in the visits of the place and its related posts on social media. In
line with this, the study has been designed with the aim of understanding how the social media
has led to the development of the tourism industry at Maldives.
Research scope
Research aim
The aim of the research is to develop an association between social media and the
development of the Maldives tourism industry. The advent of social media has made travelling
very popular and in association with this, it is critical to ensure that the impact of the tourism on
the tourism is undertaken and this contributes to the understanding how the study can be further

developed and the recommendations on the improvement of the Tourism industry in Maldives
can be given.
Research objectives
The research aim can be mentioned to be as follows:
 To understand the concept of social media marketing
 To assess the concept of tourism development, specifically in Maldives
 To establish a relationship between the social media marketing and the tourism
development in Maldives
 To provide recommendations based on which the tourism sector will be able to work
effectively on the overall development of tourism in Maldives.
Research Questions
The research questions for the study are given as follows:
 What is the concept of social media marketing?
 What is the concept of tourism development, specifically in Maldives?
 What is the relationship between the social media marketing and the tourism
development in Maldives?
 What recommendations can be given to the country based on which the firm will be able
to work effectively on the overall development of tourism in country?
Research rationale
The reason why conducting this study is essential is because, the tourism is one of the
largest industries present in Maldives and in association with this, it becomes effectively critical
for the country to ensure that it is being able to understand the manner in which the tourism can
be effectively boosted and promoted in the industry. In association with this, the study would be
aligned towards understanding how the social media platform can be utilized by the enterprise
and the way in which, the country would be required to use the social media platforms so as to
promote the tourism activities and ensure a considerate contribution to the economy.

Theoretical Frameworks and Literature review: 600 words
Research Methodology: 600 words
Potential Outcomes: 200 words
References: Harvard
Count: 16