Recap: GM Forum 2024

The GM Forum 2024, organized by Hotelier Maldives, brought together key figures from the Maldivian hospitality industry to discuss the future of tourism, focusing on sustainability, luxury travel trends, and differentiation among resorts. With expert panels, breakout sessions, and presentations, the forum covered critical topics such as strategic insights from industry leaders, leveraging the Maldives’ unique selling points, and adopting technology to enhance guest experiences. The event emphasized collaboration and innovation to maintain the Maldives’ competitive edge in global luxury tourism.

Welcome Remarks

Ibrahim Mahudhee
Director, Perspective Pvt. Ltd.

Ibrahim Mahudhee welcomed attendees, acknowledging the significance of the GM Forum as a platform for resort managers to discuss industry challenges. His remarks set the stage for collaborative discussions on key trends and developments in the Maldivian tourism sector.

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Special Address

Faisal Ibrahim
Minister of Tourism

Minister Faisal Ibrahim emphasized the need for a holistic approach to increasing tourism, focusing on enhancing visitor experiences, increasing occupancy rates, and extending tourist stays. He called for sustainable tourism practices and encouraged greater collaboration among industry stakeholders.

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Keynote Speech

John Bevan
CEO, dnata Travel Group

John Bevan’s keynote speech covered global travel trends and strategies to keep the Maldives competitive. He highlighted the importance of adapting to changing traveler behaviors post-pandemic and stressed the need for innovation in the tourism sector.

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Panel 1: Shaping the Future – Strategic Insights from Maldives

Moderated by TV presenter Fathimath Sarah, the discussion highlighted insights from four distinguished panelists: Moosa Zameer, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Economic Development and Trade; Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, CEO & Managing Director of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL); and Mohamed Khaleel, Advisor to the President on Tourism Development.

The panel covered critical thematic areas, discussing foreign investment strategies, fiscal management, tourism growth, and the importance of sustainable development. Each panelist brought unique perspectives from their respective areas of expertise.

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Fathimath Saara
TV Presenter, Producer, SSTV

Fathimath Saara moderated the lively discussion on investment strategies, fiscal policies, and sustainability, emphasizing the need for strategic collaboration. Her moderation brought together key insights from panelists on how to future-proof Maldivian tourism.

Moosa Zameer
Minister of Foreign Affairs

Moosa Zameer focused on the role of foreign investment in the tourism industry and aligning these strategies with national goals. He emphasized attracting responsible investors to fuel sustainable growth.

Mohamed Saeed
Minister of Economic Development and Trade

Mohamed Saeed discussed the fiscal reforms that aim to encourage tourism investments and improve the business environment for hospitality players. His remarks underscored the importance of creating a favorable economic climate for sustainable growth.

Mohamed Khaleel
Advisor to the President on Tourism Development

Mohamed Khaleel shared insights on policy measures aimed at balancing tourism expansion with environmental preservation. He discussed how the Maldives can maintain a balance between economic growth and sustainability.

Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed
CEO & Managing Director, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL)

Ibrahim Shareef emphasized the ongoing development of Velana International Airport as a key driver for tourism. He shared how improved infrastructure is critical to handling growing tourist arrivals and enhancing overall travel experiences.

Panel 2: Redefining the Luxury Travel Experience

‘Redefining the Luxury Travel Experience.’ Moderated by Reena Abdul Wahid, Communications Strategist at the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI), the discussion delved into the evolving landscape of luxury travel and how industry leaders are adapting to meet changing traveler expectations.

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Reena Abdul Wahid
Communications Strategist, Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI)

Reena Abdul Wahid led a discussion on how luxury travel is evolving, focusing on personalisation, technology, and sustainability. She guided panelists to explore how Maldivian resorts can redefine luxury experiences in response to shifting traveler expectations.

Solah Mohamed
Chief Operating Officer, Crown & Champa Resorts

Solah Mohamed discussed the importance of personalisation in creating luxurious, memorable guest experiences. He emphasized that understanding guest preferences and tailoring services is critical to delivering value in the luxury segment.

Abdulla Ghiyas
Chairman, Visit Maldives; President, MATATO

Abdulla Ghiyas shared insights on how sustainability is shaping the future of luxury tourism. He highlighted that responsible travel is becoming increasingly important to high-end travelers and that the Maldives must adapt to meet this demand.

Ashwin Handa
Senior Vice President – Operations, Atmosphere Core

Ashwin Handa emphasized the role of technology in transforming the luxury guest experience. He discussed the importance of adopting innovations that enhance personalization and efficiency while maintaining the essence of luxury.

Panel 3: Leveraging the Maldives’ Unique Selling Points

Experts from across the hospitality industry came together to discuss how the Maldives can leverage its unique selling points (USPs) to remain a competitive and aspirational destination in the global market. The panel, moderated by Aishath Ihuma, Director of Business Development at Reollo Investments Pvt. Ltd., included Ibrahim Inad, Director of Sales and Marketing at Oaga Resorts; Alexander Treager, General Manager at SAii Lagoon Maldives; Andrew Jansson, General Manager at Centara Mirage; and Rajesh Mehta, Chief Business Officer at Ooredoo Maldives. Their insights provide a clear roadmap for how the Maldives can continue to attract luxury travellers, all while addressing the evolving needs of guests and resorts alike.

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Aishath Ihuma
Director of Business Development, Reollo Investments Pvt. Ltd.

Aishath Ihuma facilitated a panel on how the Maldives can maximize its unique selling points (USPs) to stay competitive. The discussion centered on leveraging the Maldives’ natural beauty and rich cultural heritage to enhance its appeal in the global luxury market.

Rajesh Mehta
Chief Business Officer, Ooredoo Maldives
Rajesh Mehta returned to discuss the role of digital solutions in increasing the Maldives’ global visibility. He emphasized how resorts can leverage technology to enhance marketing and operational efficiency, ensuring long-term competitiveness.

Ibrahim Inad
Director of Sales & Marketing, Oaga Resorts
Ibrahim Inad shared marketing strategies to differentiate Maldivian resorts in the crowded global market. He highlighted the importance of storytelling and branding in conveying the unique experience that the Maldives offers.

Alexander Treager
General Manager, SAii Lagoon
Alexander Treager discussed the need to focus on guest experience as a key differentiator in luxury tourism. He emphasized that personalization and service excellence are crucial in maintaining the Maldives’ competitive advantage.

Andrew Jansson
Cluster General Manager, Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives and Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives

Andrew Jansson spoke about the importance of continuously improving guest satisfaction and creating memorable experiences. He highlighted that integrating cultural elements and maintaining high service standards are essential for success in luxury tourism.

Special Presentation: Business Intelligence for Tourism

Malik Mohamed
Director, Business Intelligence, Pulse Hotels

Malik Mohamed highlighted the transformative potential of business intelligence (BI) in tourism, using data analytics to optimize revenue. His presentation focused on leveraging AI and predictive tools to enhance operational decision-making in hospitality.

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Featured Speaker: Chinese Travel Trends and Spending Behaviour

Etienne Ng
Regional Director for Southeast Asia, Weixin Pay (WeChat Pay)

Etienne Ng explored the evolving travel behaviors of Chinese tourists, particularly the rise of digital payments. His presentation focused on how Maldivian resorts can cater to this key market by adopting WeChat Pay and other digital solutions to enhance convenience and accessibility.

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Presentation 1: Managed Solutions – The Future of Hospitality Efficiency

Rajesh Mehta
Chief Business Officer, Ooredoo Maldives

Rajesh Mehta presented on how managed solutions and centralized ICT infrastructure can enhance efficiency in resorts. He emphasized the need for future-proof technology that integrates seamlessly with resort operations to improve guest services.

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Presentation 2: How AI Will Revolutionise Travel

Mohamed Jailam
CEO and Managing Director of Javaabu; Co-Founder of DhivehiGPT

Mohamed Jailam discussed the future of AI in transforming the travel and hospitality industry, from automating services to personalizing guest experiences. He shared how AI-driven innovations, like DhivehiGPT, are already making waves in the Maldivian tourism sector.

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Presentation 3: Velana International Airport and Tourism Development

Mohamed Mihad
Chief Commercial Officer, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL)

Mohamed Mihad highlighted the crucial role of Velana International Airport (VIA) in supporting and driving the growth of Maldivian tourism. He discussed how VIA’s infrastructure, operational expansions, and strategic collaborations are closely linked to tourism development, ensuring the Maldives remains a top global destination.

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