The Managing Director of the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), Ibrahim Shiuree, has been elected as a Board Member of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), one of Asia’s leading tourism organisations.
Shiuree’s election was decided through a voting process involving member governments, with nominees selected by PATA’s members. The PATA Board, which plays a key leadership role in the organisation, consists of seven members representing countries such as Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, China, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan.
Founded in 1951, PATA is a prominent tourism body with 95 member countries. It facilitates collaboration among member nations to develop sustainable tourism in the Asia-Pacific region. The association is also renowned for hosting the annual PATA Summit, a global event that brings together key players in the travel and tourism industry, and for presenting prestigious travel-related awards.
In his statement following the election, Shiuree expressed optimism about the opportunities this position brings for the Maldives’ tourism industry. He highlighted PATA’s extensive network, which includes 27 member airlines and travel agencies from across the globe, and pointed to the potential for collaborative tourism promotion plans that could further enhance the Maldives’ global presence.
Shiuree emphasised that his role on the PATA Board would help pave the way for greater promotion and development of the Maldivian tourism sector, enabling closer collaboration with international stakeholders to attract more travellers to the islands.
This election comes at a time when the Maldives continues to expand its tourism footprint in key markets, and Shiuree’s position on the PATA Board is expected to strengthen these efforts by leveraging the association’s extensive global network.
The Maldives’ participation in PATA highlights its commitment to fostering regional partnerships and promoting sustainable tourism initiatives, ensuring the country remains a top destination for travellers worldwide.
