Futureshapers’ Workshop concludes with strategic insights for Maldives tourism

The Futureshapers’ Workshop, organised by Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC), concluded successfully at Meerumaa Hall in Malé. The full-day business-to-business event convened policymakers, industry leaders, and media representatives for strategic discussions aimed at shaping the next phase of growth for the Maldives’ tourism sector.

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural edition, the symposium has become one of the largest and most comprehensive industry gatherings to date. Sessions centred on knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and the joint development of strategies to ensure that the Maldives continues to thrive as a leading global destination.

The event opened with remarks from VMC’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Ibrahim Shiuree, who presented a review of 2025 performance and set the tone for the forward-looking discussions. He emphasised the importance of unity across the sector, noting: “This symposium has reaffirmed that the strength of Maldives tourism lies in the unity of its stakeholders. The collective insights shared today will guide our Ocean Nation strategy for 2026, ensuring our growth is sustainable, innovative, and deeply connected to our identity.”

Delivering keynote remarks, the Minister of Tourism and Environment, Thoriq Ibrahim, highlighted the industry’s transformation, stating: “Maldives tourism has now evolved to provide a diverse menu of experiences, each catered to the changing preferences and expectations of visitors. Communicating this effectively is our shared mission.”

Key highlights of the symposium included:

• Ocean Insights session led by Sarah Mathews, Chief Executive Officer of e-Tourism Frontiers, examining traveller personas and emerging global trends.
• Destination Marketing Plan 2026 presentation, introducing VMC’s Ocean Nation strategy.
• Keynotes and panel discussions exploring luxury tourism, superyacht and boating tourism, and guesthouse and atoll tourism.
• Working Lunch featuring market updates from India, China, Russia, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Middle East, the United States, and France.
• Facilitated table discussions where working groups explored opportunities for innovation, diversification, and market expansion.

Closing the symposium, VMC Chairperson, Abdulla Ghiyas Riyaz, urged stakeholders to view marketing as a vital investment rather than a cost. He stressed the importance of bold and strategic initiatives, remarking: “Marketing is not a cost—it is an investment. Our competitors outspend us daily. We are working smarter, but there are limits. If we are to remain the world’s ultimate luxury destination, we must invest more—boldly, strategically, and sustainably.”

As part of the follow-up process, VMC will compile notes, survey findings, and key recommendations from the symposium into a comprehensive report, scheduled to be shared with participants by mid-October 2025. This document will act as a reference point for shaping the 2026 strategy and enabling coordinated industry-wide action.

The Tourism Symposium 2025 – The Futureshapers’ Workshop underscored the Maldives’ ongoing commitment to collaboration, innovation, and sustainability, reaffirming its position as one of the world’s most renowned island destinations.