Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) successfully hosted the first Quarterly Insights: Maldives Tourism Intelligence Briefing for 2026 (Q1), convening industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to review tourism performance, share market intelligence, and align on strategic priorities for the year ahead.
The Quarterly Insights series offers timely access to real-time tourism data, emerging travel trends, and forward-looking market analysis, while fostering collaboration and dialogue across the sector.
The briefing began with opening remarks from Mr. Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO & Managing Director, who highlighted the strong growth of Maldivian tourism in 2025 and the country’s rising global profile. Looking ahead, he outlined 2026 as a year focused on content creation, including the launch of the Creatoll platform for content creators and its associated summit, designed to showcase the Maldives’ natural and cultural experiences and reinforce its position as a premium destination.
"The Quarterly Insights session provides a platform for reflection, learning, and strategic planning,” said Ibrahim Shiuree. “It gives you market intelligence and real-time data on emerging travel trends for the 2026 season, along with a first look at the promotional roadmap. Equally important, it is an opportunity for peer networking and open dialogue. By collaborating closely, we can collectively drive the growth, resilience, and global appeal of Maldivian tourism."
During the session, Ms. Sabeeha Ahmed, Chief Operating Officer, presented insights on overall arrivals performance, market composition, and demand outlook. Mr. Nasrulla Adam, Chief Commercial Officer, outlined key promotional priorities for the year, while Mr. Ahmed Afruh Rasheed, Creative Director, highlighted the digital marketing strategy for the first half of 2026, introducing the SeaSational Summer campaign aimed at boosting tourist arrivals during the shoulder season.
Closing the briefing, Mr. Abdulla Giyas, Chairperson of VMC’s Board of Directors, emphasized the Maldives Tourism Intelligence Briefing as a vital platform for continuous, data-driven dialogue and industry feedback, noting recent record arrivals and revenue performance. He also underscored a strategic shift from volume to value, with focus on yield, visitor spend, and seasonality, while recognising the sector’s resilience amid global uncertainty.
"The feedback we receive from the industry is invaluable, helping us refine strategies and make informed decisions. We look forward to the next Quarterly Insights session in April, where we will share even more data from key sources including MMA, MIRA, and MACL, and continue this dialogue to strengthen Maldives tourism together," he said.
The session featured an interactive feedback segment, enabling participants to exchange ideas, provide input, and discuss shared challenges, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the briefing. It concluded with networking opportunities, promoting engagement and partnership among industry stakeholders.
Visit Maldives Corporation will continue the Quarterly Insights series as part of its commitment to transparency, collaboration, and evidence-based tourism development.
