The Destination Advancement Through Analytics (DATA) Forum 2024 was successfully held for the first time in the Maldives on 16th October 2024. Jointly organised by the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives) and E-Tourism Frontiers, the forum aimed to advance data and intelligence within the travel industry. It brought together leading figures from the global tourism data sector to discuss consumer engagement, destination management, and operational effectiveness.
Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO & MD of MMPRC, opened the event with a warm welcome to attendees. Chairperson of MMPRC, Abdulla Giyas Riyaz, followed with a keynote speech on the importance of data in the tourism industry, highlighting how data-driven decisions are shaping the future of travel. Shiuree emphasised the necessity for businesses to harness data effectively to stay competitive.
The event attracted prominent companies specialising in tourism data analytics, including E-Tourism Frontiers, Tourism Economics Oxford, Union Pay, Meltwater, ForwardKeys, Adara, Booking.com, Tripadvisor, Amadeus, and EmarketingEye. Experts shared insights into global tourism trends and analytics throughout the day.
Morning sessions featured several key presentations. Sarah Mathews, CEO of E-Tourism Frontiers, discussed the increasing prevalence of data in travel, while Michael Shoory of Tourism Economics Oxford provided a global economic outlook. Hu Binghan of Union Pay examined the resurgence of Chinese outbound tourism and its impact on global spending patterns.
In the afternoon, Olivier Ponti from ForwardKeys spoke about predicting traveller behaviours, and Bharat Nagpal from Adara explored how to measure success using data. Calvin Koh from Tripadvisor highlighted the influence of user-generated content on travel decisions.
The forum addressed how destinations, particularly the Maldives, can use data to adapt to a fast-changing industry. It provided attendees with real-time insights into global travel trends and the tools necessary to predict future traveller behaviours and economic shifts. The discussions demonstrated how tourism businesses can make informed decisions by leveraging data.
The day concluded with a panel on the future of travel and data, setting the stage for further innovation in the industry. The forum also provided networking opportunities for future collaborations among participants.
Held at Bandos Maldives, the event showcased the Maldives’ potential as a Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) destination, combining professional engagement with the country’s natural beauty.
The forum’s success was supported by sponsors such as State Electric Company Limited (STELCO), Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), Jalboot, Maagiri Hotel, State Trading Organization (STO), Maldives Moments, and Dhiraagu.
This event established a new benchmark for tourism analytics in the Maldives, equipping industry professionals with the knowledge needed to thrive in a data-driven future.
