Visit Maldives CEO Ibrahim Shiuree addresses Tropical Coastal City Tourism event in Sanya

Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Ibrahim Shiuree, delivered a keynote address at the 2025 Tropical Coastal City Tourism Event in Sanya, held from 18 to 21 November 2025. Organised by the Sanya Tourism Board and supported by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), the event brought together global leaders and industry professionals under the theme “Coastal Tourism: Symbiosis and Development of Nature and Culture.”

Speaking in his capacity as a PATA Board Member representing the Maldives, Shiuree shared insights informed by the country’s unique geography and its longstanding role as a global leader in coastal tourism. He noted that with all Maldivian islands being coastal and heavily reliant on tourism, the nation’s planning and resilience strategies offer lessons applicable to other coastal cities.

Shiuree highlighted several approaches that have contributed to the Maldives’ success, including the single-island resort model, clear tourism zoning, and the expansion of community-based guesthouse tourism. He also underscored the importance of sustained investment in infrastructure, transport connectivity, and essential services in supporting the sector’s growth. According to him, sustainable development can only be achieved by maintaining a balance between visitor demand, environmental stewardship, and community wellbeing.

Climate resilience formed a central element of his address. He emphasised the Maldives’ continued investments in coastal protection, elevated land reclamation, and the enforcement of strict environmental standards for tourism development. He encouraged other coastal cities to integrate climate considerations into long-term planning to protect their economies and preserve investor confidence.

Shiuree concluded by stating that the future of coastal destinations will rely on strategic planning, inclusive development, and strengthened resilience. The event’s thematic tracks—Sustainable Tourism, High-End Tourism, and Indigenous Culture—provided further opportunities for delegates to explore Sanya’s coastal development and exchange ideas shaping the future of tourism in tropical regions.