Chairperson of the Board of Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC), Abdulla Giyas, has called for tourism diversification and accelerated reforms to address challenges arising from ongoing unrest in the Middle East.
He made the remarks during a high-level webinar held in collaboration with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) on 9 April, titled “Navigate: The Conflict Playbook for Travel – Adapt, Pivot, Lead.”
Speaking on the impact of the conflict on global travel, Giyas said the disruptions extend beyond regional concerns and point to a broader structural shift in tourism patterns. He noted that the Maldives’ reliance on Middle Eastern aviation hubs has made the destination particularly vulnerable, affecting both visitor numbers and high-value tourism revenue.
“We have moved swiftly to stabilise connectivity, support travellers on the ground, and engage closely with our airline and industry partners. At the same time, this is a moment to accelerate long-overdue reforms. We must diversify our offerings into high-value segments including destination weddings, sports tourism, MICE and superyacht experiences while addressing the structural bottlenecks that impede growth,” he said.
The webinar also featured a market analysis by Michael Shoory, Head of APAC Tourism Analysis at Tourism Economics, who said the Asia-Pacific tourism market is projected to grow in 2026. However, he warned that uncertainties linked to the Iran conflict pose risks for destinations dependent on long-haul travel.
Participants were provided with strategies to navigate rising fuel costs and shifting traveller sentiment. Sarah Mathews, Chief Executive Officer of E-Tourism Frontiers, shared insights on targeting resilient markets and managing increasing travel expenses, while Elizabeth Cook, Director of Marketing at E-Tourism Frontiers, outlined approaches to crisis communication and protecting destination reputation.
With the World Travel and Tourism Council estimating global tourism losses at approximately USD 600 million per day, Visit Maldives Corporation said it is taking proactive steps to protect the country’s aviation-dependent tourism sector.
VMC added that it will continue to engage with global industry partners through upcoming initiatives in collaboration with PATA.