Chairperson of the Board of Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC), Abdulla Giyas, called for tourism diversification and accelerated reforms during a high-level webinar hosted in collaboration with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) on Thursday 09 April 2026, titled “Navigate: The Conflict Playbook for Travel – Adapt, Pivot, Lead.

Speaking on the ongoing impact of the conflict in the Middle Eastern on global travel, Chairperson Giyas highlighted that these disruptions go beyond regional challenges, signaling a structural shift in global tourism patterns. The Maldives’ reliance on Middle Eastern aviation hubs has made the destination particularly sensitive to these changes, affecting both visitor numbers and high-value tourism revenue.

“We have moved swiftly to stabilize connectivity, support travelers on the ground, and engage closely with our airline and industry partners,” said Abdulla Giyas. “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.”

The webinar included a detailed market analysis by Michael Shoory, Head of APAC Tourism Analysis at Tourism Economics. He noted that while the Asia-Pacific tourism market is projected to grow in 2026, uncertainties stemming from the Iran conflict pose risks for destinations reliant on long-haul transit.

“Our baseline outlook remains cautiously optimistic, but downside risks are significant,” Shoory said. “Destinations can offset these impacts by leveraging the gradual recovery of Chinese outbound tourism and increasing intra-regional travel.”

Participants also gained insights on actionable strategies to navigate the current landscape of fluctuating fuel prices and shifting traveler sentiment. Key contributions included Sarah Mathews, CEO of E-Tourism Frontiers, who shared strategies for targeting resilient markets and managing rising travel costs, and Elizabeth Cook, Director of Marketing at E-Tourism Frontiers, who provided guidance on crisis communications and safeguarding destination reputation. Paul Pruangkarn, Director of Marketing & Communications at PATA, moderated a live Q&A focusing on practical, implementable solutions for industry stakeholders.

With the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) estimating global tourism losses of approximately USD 600 million per day, VMC is taking proactive measures to safeguard the Maldives’ aviation-dependent economy. The event underscored VMC’s commitment to a structured, data-driven approach to maintaining market confidence.

VMC and PATA will continue to engage the global travel industry through upcoming initiatives, including PATA Travel Mart, Travel Meet Asia, ITB Asia, and joint marketing campaigns with Singapore Airlines. Visit Maldives Corporation extends its appreciation to all webinar participants and encourages industry partners to remain engaged with forthcoming resources aimed at driving sustainable tourism growth.