Visit Maldives and PATA announce tourism webinar on conflict impact
Visit Maldives Corporation, in collaboration with the Pacific Asia Travel Association, has announced a webinar titled “The Conflict Playbook for Travel – Adapt, Pivot, Lead (Maldives Edition)”, scheduled for 9 April 2026 at 13:00 hrs Maldives time (15:00 hrs Bangkok time).
The session is intended to address challenges affecting the global tourism sector, particularly the impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict on aviation, travel demand and operating costs. Disruptions to airspace in the region have led to flight rerouting and extended travel times, while jet fuel prices have increased significantly. Industry estimates indicate that global visitor spending has been affected, with losses reaching approximately USD 600 million per day.
The webinar will include a keynote address by Abdulla Ghiyas, who will outline the national perspective, including the impact on the Maldives’ tourism sector and current policy priorities. The session will open with remarks by Noor Ahmad Hamid.
Expert presentations will follow, including analysis by Michael Shoory, who will examine demand trends and market indicators. Sarah Mathews will discuss strategies for identifying alternative markets and adjusting targeting approaches, while Elizabeth Cook will present on crisis communication and destination positioning.
The session will conclude with a live question-and-answer segment moderated by Paul Pruangkarn, providing participants with the opportunity to engage with speakers.
The webinar is designed to provide tourism stakeholders with practical insights and data to support decision-making during the current period of uncertainty. Visit Maldives Corporation has invited industry partners to register and participate in the session.
