Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2025 to explore investor alignment in new panel discussion

Hotelier Maldives, the leading hospitality media group in the Maldives, has announced a new panel discussion for the upcoming General Managers (GM) Forum 2025, scheduled to take place on 13 October 2025 at Kurumba Maldives. The session, titled “Aligning Investor Appetite with the Maldives’ Long-term Tourism Strategy,” will explore how hospitality operators, owners, and financiers can work together to ensure sustainable growth and resilience in the Maldivian tourism industry.

Moderated by Aminath Zaady, Chief Operating Officer at Brennia Maldives, the panel will now feature four distinguished speakers: Mohamed Khaleel, Chief Executive Officer at Pulse Hotels & Resorts; Shrikant Dash, Deputy Managing Director – Head of Investment Strategy at Atmosphere Core; Abdulla Thamheed, Vice President of Operations at Sun Siyam Resorts; and Amaan Ali, Head of Corporate Banking at Bank of Maldives.

Shrikant Dash brings to the discussion extensive experience in strategic investment planning and sustainable resort development. Atmosphere Core is one of the leading developers and operators in the Maldives with a portfolio of nine resorts across the country, and has recently embarked on regional expansion into India and Sri Lanka. His insights will add a valuable dimension to the conversation on aligning investor strategies with national tourism objectives.

The one-hour discussion will examine the intersection of hospitality operations, financial ecosystems, and asset management, focusing on how alignment between financiers, operators, and owners can strengthen the sector’s long-term competitiveness. The conversation will touch on the evolving role of financial institutions in supporting resort development, the need for innovative financing models, and the balance between short-term performance and sustainable asset management. The panel will also look at how shifting guest expectations — with growing emphasis on digitalisation, sustainability, and wellness — are shaping future investment priorities in the industry.

The GM Forum 2025, organised by Hotelier Maldives, is the country’s leading annual gathering of resort general managers, executives, and key decision-makers. Now in its ninth edition, the Forum will explore the overarching theme “Digitalisation and Expanding Experiences,” reflecting how technology, innovation, and evolving guest preferences continue to redefine hospitality in the Maldives.

Ru Yi, Assistant Vice President of International Markets, APAC at Trip.com Group, will deliver the keynote address titled “Travel in the Age of Digital Transformation.” Her address will explore how the global travel landscape is evolving in response to new digital tools, traveller behaviours, and online ecosystems, offering valuable insights into the changing dynamics of demand in the post-digital era.

The Forum’s Featured Speaker, Radouane Namaoui, Global Head of Key Accounts at TrustYou, will present on “Unlocking Loyalty Through Digital Guest Journeys.” His session will focus on how technology and data-driven personalisation are redefining the ways hotels build lasting guest relationships, from pre-arrival engagement to post-stay advocacy.

A presentation by Abubakar Latif, Chief Technology Officer at Beyon Cyber and Board Member at DTS Solutions UAE, will highlight the growing importance of cybersecurity in the hospitality sector. His presentation, titled “A Stakeholder Analysis of Cyber Risks in the Hospitality Industry,” will explore vulnerabilities within interconnected hotel systems and outline strategies for protecting guest data and operational continuity. This session is sponsored by Dhiraagu.

Dhivehi Insurance, the Gold Sponsor of this year’s Forum, will also deliver a presentation titled “Insurance Solutions for Emerging Risks in a Maldivian Context.” Conducted by Thanzeem Ahmed, Manager – Technical, and Ismail Nishan, Senior Sales Executive, the presentation will highlight tailored insurance strategies for the tourism sector in response to evolving operational and environmental risks.

Afrah Ahmed, Director of Cards at Bank of Maldives, will deliver a presentation titled “Digital Transformation in Maldives Tourism.” Through this presentation, Afrah Ahmed will explore how digital innovation and financial technology are enhancing the tourism experience — from payments and guest convenience to operational efficiency across resorts and related businesses.

Aalim Mohamed, Group Director of Human Resources at Pulse Hotels & Resorts, will present on “Leadership 5.0 and Moving Beyond Resilience in Hospitality.” His session will examine how leadership approaches are evolving to meet the demands of an increasingly digital, diverse, and dynamic workforce, while maintaining focus on empathy, innovation, and adaptability in an ever-changing environment.

A panel discussion, “Destination Marketing in the Digital Era: Building Maldives’ Global Presence Beyond the Beach,” will explore strategies to expand the Maldives’ brand narrative beyond its traditional image of sun, sand, and sea. Moderated by Mathurot Chuladul, Field Marketing Director, Communications – Maldives, Marriott International, the panel will feature Ru Yi, Radouane Namaoui, Abdulla Ghiyas, Chairman of Visit Maldives, and Murad Hassan, Tourism Marketing Specialist. Together, they will discuss how destination marketing can leverage digital platforms, storytelling, and emerging markets to diversify the Maldives’ appeal and attract new segments of travellers.

Another panel, “Reimagining the Guest Journey: Digital Touchpoints from Booking to Post-Stay,” will examine how digitalisation is transforming every phase of the guest experience. The session will be moderated by Mohamed Shafraz Hafiz, Director of Digital Technology & Marketing at Pulse Hotels & Resorts, and joined by Heidi Grimwood, Senior Vice President, ELE|NA; Hussain Shahid, General Manager, Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection; and Morten Junior, General Manager, Kurumba Maldives. The panellists will explore how technology can enhance engagement, efficiency, and guest satisfaction, from initial booking to post-stay interactions.

Launched in 2016, the Hotelier Maldives GM Forum has become a cornerstone event for the country’s tourism industry. Each edition brings together general managers, resort owners, developers, and senior executives to share insights, exchange ideas, and discuss strategies for innovation and collaboration.

The 2025 Forum will once again convene leaders from across the Maldives’ hospitality sector to discuss digital transformation, sustainability, human capital, financing, and long-term competitiveness — reaffirming its role as the premier platform for thought leadership in the industry.

Partners and sponsors of GM Forum 2025 include:

• Dhiraagu – Platinum Partner
• Bank of Maldives – Banking Partner
• Dhivehi Insurance – Gold Sponsor
• Maldives Airports Company Limited – Silver Sponsor
• Villa Hakatha – Silver Sponsor
• Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) – Silver Sponsor
• Manta Air – Aviation Partner
• Male’ Aerated Water Company – Beverage Partner
• Atmosphere Wellness – Wellness Partner
• Alia Investments – Associate Sponsor
• Uniforms Unlimited – Associate Sponsor
• Hotels and Resorts Investment Maldives (HARIM) – Associate Sponsor
• Souvenir Marine – Transport Partner
• Storm Events – Organising Partner
• Lightsout – Associate Partner
• Maldives TV – Media Partner
• Maldives Ocean Plastics Alliance (MOPA) – Sustainability Partner
• Supporting Partners – Navean Maldives, Maldives Insider and Blue n White