Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) CEO and Managing Director Ibrahim Shiuree delivered a keynote address at the 2025 Tropical Coastal City Tourism Event in Sanya, held from 18 to 21 November 2025. The event, organised by the Sanya Tourism Board and supported by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), brought together global leaders and industry professionals under the theme “Coastal Tourism: Symbiosis and Development of Nature and Culture.”

Speaking as a PATA Board Member representing the Maldives, Mr Shiuree shared insights shaped by the Maldives’ unique geography and long-standing experience as a global coastal tourism leader. He noted that with all Maldivian islands being coastal and highly dependent on tourism, the country’s planning and resilience strategies offer relevant lessons for other coastal cities.

Mr Shiuree highlighted key approaches behind the Maldives’ success, including the single-island resort model, clear tourism zoning, and the growth of community-based guesthouse tourism, all supported by strong investment in infrastructure, transport links, and essential services. He emphasised that sustainable development requires a balance between visitor demand, environmental protection, and community wellbeing.

Climate resilience formed a central part of his message. He underscored the Maldives’ ongoing investments in coastal protection, elevated reclamation, and strict environmental standards for tourism development, urging coastal cities to integrate climate realities into long-term planning to safeguard their economies and maintain investor confidence.

Mr Shiuree concluded by noting that the future of coastal destinations will depend on strategic planning, inclusive growth, and resilience building. The event’s thematic tracks—Sustainable Tourism, High-End Tourism, and Indigenous Culture—provided additional platforms for delegates to explore Sanya’s coastal development and exchange ideas shaping the future of tropical tourism.