The Tourism Symposium 2025, branded as The Futureshapers’ Workshop, concluded this week at Meerumaa Hall in Malé, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and media representatives to discuss the future of the Maldives’ tourism industry.
Organised by Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC), the full-day B2B event featured discussions, workshops, and market updates, aiming to strengthen collaboration and shape strategies for sustainable and innovative growth.
Opening the symposium, VMC’s CEO and Managing Director, Ibrahim Shiuree, reflected on industry performance in 2025 and underlined the importance of unity. “This symposium has reaffirmed that the strength of Maldives tourism lies in the unity of its stakeholders,” he said, noting that insights from the event will guide the corporation’s Ocean Nation strategy for 2026.
Tourism Minister Thoriq Ibrahim delivered keynote remarks, highlighting the sector’s shift towards offering more diverse experiences for travellers. “Maldives tourism has now evolved to provide a diverse menu of experiences, each catered to the changing preferences and expectations of visitors. Communicating this effectively is our shared mission,” he said.
Highlights of the symposium included the unveiling of VMC’s Destination Marketing Plan 2026 under the Ocean Nation strategy, a session on traveller personas and emerging global trends by Sarah Mathews of e-Tourism Frontiers, and panel discussions on luxury, superyacht, boating, and guesthouse tourism. A working lunch also provided market insights from India, China, Russia, Germany, the UK, Italy, the Middle East, the USA, and France.
Closing the event, VMC Chairperson Abdulla Ghiyas Riyaz called for more strategic investment in marketing. “Marketing is not a cost, it is an investment. Our competitors outspend us daily. We are working smarter, but there are limits. If we are to remain the world’s ultimate luxury destination, we must invest more, boldly, strategically, and sustainably,” he said.
VMC stated that findings from the symposium, including recommendations and survey results, will be compiled into a report to be shared with stakeholders by mid-October 2025. This will serve as a reference for shaping the 2026 strategy.
The symposium’s conclusion reinforced the Maldives’ commitment to collaboration, innovation, and sustainability in maintaining its status as one of the world’s most sought-after island destinations.
