The inaugural Future Summit, hosted by Destination Future at Kurumba Maldives on 20 August 2024, brought together esteemed pioneers of Maldives tourism and top industry leaders. The summit featured insightful discussions and powerful addresses focusing on the industry’s sustainability and future growth.
The summit commenced with an opening address by the Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal, who expressed heartfelt appreciation for the Destination Future team and the event’s organisers, emphasising the need for a more sustainable and innovative tourism industry.
Dr Simad Saeed, Managing Director of CDE Consulting, delivered a keynote speech titled “Brand Maldives, Today and Tomorrow – A Sustainability Perspective,” stressing the critical importance of sustainability in the Maldives and proposing the integration of awareness programs within schools to nurture future industry leaders.
Panel discussions were a focal point of the summit, with industry luminaries engaging in thought-provoking conversations. Notable sessions included “Balancing Tourism Growth and Sustainability in the Maldives,” “Reimagining Destination Marketing,” and “Diversifying Beyond Sun, Sand and Sea,” highlighting the importance of sustainable practices, innovative marketing strategies, and diversification of the Maldives’ appeal to attract diverse traveller segments.
A significant highlight of the summit was a presentation by Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) on the future of aviation and infrastructure, sparking discussions on the role of aviation and infrastructure in driving the Maldives’ tourism industry forward.
In his closing remarks, Destination Future President Hamza Saeed urged the industry to transition from ongoing experimentation to focusing on well-established, effective strategies. He emphasised the need for consistency and adherence to proven practices to ensure long-term success and stability in the tourism sector.
Several key sponsors supported the summit, including Loti, Solarelle, Kurumba Maldives, and Ooredoo Maldives. Additional sponsors included Seguro Insurance, Pacific Technology, Astrabon, Arriva, Mihaaru, Travel Trade Maldives, Intour Maldives, Event Maldives, and Print Lab.
The next Future Summit is set for 25 June 2025. It promises to build on this year’s successes and continue advancing the conversation.
