Sunday, August 25, 2024 Kurumba Maldives hosts its first Future Summit, bringing together industry leaders to shape a new vision for the future of tourism. Destination Future wrapped up its first-ever Future Summit on August 20, 2024, at Kurumba Maldives, the iconic resort where Maldivian tourism first took root. The event attracted a prestigious gathering of tourism trailblazers, industry leaders, and key stakeholders.
Among the distinguished attendees were Mr. Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and Managing Director of MMPRC, and Abdulla Ghiyas, Chairman of MMPRC, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing evolution of the Maldives tourism sector. The summit was inaugurated by the Minister of Tourism, Mr.
Ibrahim Faisal, who expressed his gratitude, stating, “Thank you to the incredible team and organizers of Destination Future. My sincere gratitude goes to all panelists, participants, and attendees for your insightful contributions. Together we can work towards a more sustainable and innovative tourism industry.
” Dr. Simad Saeed, Managing Director of CDE Consulting, delivered an impactful keynote speech titled “Brand Maldives, Today and Tomorrow – A Sustainability Perspective.” His address focused on crucial aspects of sustainability, including environmental protection, economic viability, and human capital development.
Dr. Saeed emphasized that integrating these sustainable practices is crucial for maintaining the Maldives’ prestigious brand positioning and ensuring long-term success in the competitive global tourism market. Additionally, Dr.
Saeed advocated integrating awareness programs within schools to foster a deeper understanding of the tourism industry’s impact and importance among young students. By embedding tourism education early on, the Maldives can cultivate a new generation of informed and engaged citizens who are committed to supporting and advancing sustainable tourism practices. His speech provided a comprehensive framework for how the Maldives can continue to lead in sustainability while nurturing future leaders in the industry.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Vice Chair of Destination Future, conducted a presentation on “Importance of Balancing Tourism Growth and Sustainability in the Maldives.” Amjad explored the challenges and opportunities that arise from this balance, emphasizing the need for strategic planning and innovative solutions to ensure that the Maldives can achieve growth without compromising its environmental and social responsibilities. His insights aimed to guide stakeholders in making informed decisions that support both the advancement of the tourism sector and the preservation of the country’s unique natural and cultural assets.
He later moderated a panel discussion on the same topic, joined by industry leaders, including Ms. Marteyne Van Well (Regional General Manager – Six Senses Maldives), Mr. Ahmed Jihad (Corporate General Manager of Cocoon), Dr.
Simad Saeed (Managing Director of CDE), Ms. Ruth Franklin (Founder of Secret Paradise), and Ms. Fathimath Shaazleen (Resort Manager of Naladhu Private Island).
The discussion focused on finding the right balance between tourism growth and sustainability, drawing on the varied perspectives and solutions offered by these experienced professionals. Their combined insights emphasized the necessity of embedding sustainable practices into tourism strategies, ensuring that the Maldives continues to prosper as a top destination while preserving its environmental and cultural heritage. The summit also featured a panel discussion on reimagining destination marketing, moderated by Rifaa Saeed, Director of Sales & Marketing at Dusit Maldives.
Esteemed panelists included Mr. Suresh Dissanayake (Assistant Vice President of Heritance Aarah and Adaaran Maldives), Mr. Ali Nihad (Area Director of Sales and Marketing at IHG Maldives), Mr.
Aydin Yasayacak (CEO of Loti), and Mr. Nuaas Mohanmed (Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing, COMO Hotels & Resorts). They explored innovative strategies to strengthen the Maldives’ brand positioning in a highly competitive market, highlighting the need for a unified brand message and targeted destination campaigns.
The session also covered the importance of digital marketing in reaching wider audiences, the value of forging emotional connections with travelers, and the integration of sustainability into marketing strategies. The Managing Director and Chairman of the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) participated in the discussion, sharing insights into ongoing initiatives for new destination marketing campaigns. Panel discussion on diversifying beyond Sun, Sand and Sea (3S) was led by Mr.
Inad Ibrahim, Director of Sales and Marketing at Oaga Art Resort. Esteemed panelists included Mr. Ibrahim Shiuree (CEO & MD of MMPRC), Mr.
Abdulla Nabeel (a leading tourism professional in the Maldives), Dr. Sunny Umar (Founder of Halal Travel Maldives), and Mr. Mark Eletr (General Manager of Holiday Inn Kandooma), explored new avenues for attracting diverse traveler segments.
The discussion centered on exploring innovative ways to attract a wider range of traveler segments. Panelists examined strategies to extend the Maldives’ appeal beyond its traditional markets, taking into account emerging travel trends and the shifting preferences of global tourists. They offered insights on tailoring marketing efforts to different demographics, boosting the destination’s inclusivity, and leveraging its unique selling points to engage a diverse array of traveler profiles.
Presentation by: Maldives Airports Company Private Limited A standout moment of the summit was a presentation by Maldives Airports Company Limited, which provided a visionary glimpse into the future of the Maldives’ aviation and infrastructure. They showcased the development of a new passenger terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA). MACL emphasized that this initiative is part of their ongoing commitment to enhancing the passenger experience at the country’s busiest air hub through structural improvements.
The highlight of this expansion is the new international passenger terminal, covering an area of 78,000m2, scheduled to open in 2025. Closing Remarks In his closing remarks, Mr. Hamza Saeed, President of Destination Future, called on the industry to move beyond continuous experimentation and focus on implementing well-established, effective strategies.
He stressed the importance of consistency and adherence to proven practices to ensure long-term success and stability..
