The Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC), Ibrahim Shiuree, emphasised the importance of observing the increasingly changing needs of tourists as a result of the Middle East conflict.
He made these remarks while speaking at the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Annual Summit 2026 in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea, in his capacity as a board member of PATA.
Shiuree noted that important discussions were held during the meeting as countries work to overcome challenges arising from the Middle East conflict. He stated that world peace directly affects tourism and the travel sector, and that it is becoming increasingly important for the industry to remain sustainable and capable of overcoming obstacles.
He added that the ideas exchanged would also benefit the destination marketing efforts of Visit Maldives and help reinforce policies aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties.
Key topics discussed during the summit included sustainable tourism development, the establishment of policies, and the introduction of new innovations within the sector. Extensive discussions were also held on strengthening ties between member countries and organisations.
More than 550 delegates from 35 countries attended the summit, which was held under the theme “Navigating Towards a Resilient Future”. Participants included government agencies, tourism boards, international organisations, airlines, and stakeholders from the tourism industry.
VMC’s participation in the PATA Annual Summit 2026 demonstrates the Maldives’ significant role at the forefront of regional tourism. It also reflects the priority placed on contributing to the development of the tourism sector across the Asia-Pacific region.