June 2025 · Kurumba Maldives · 8 sessions
Annual flagship event
The FutureSummit
An exclusive, invitation-only gathering of industry leaders, policymakers and changemakers—hosted at Kurumba Maldives. Two editions. Thirteen sessions. One shared mission: to chart the course for sustainable tourism in the Maldives.
2Editions
13Sessions
350+Attendees
1Venue
Not another industry conference
A strategy room
for the country.
Future Summit is an invitation-only annual gathering of government leaders, tourism decision-makers, innovators, educators and environmental voices.
It is designed for honest debate, useful disagreement and ideas that can move from the room into policy, investment and operations.
It’s not a trade show—it’s a strategy session for the country.
Summit attendee · 2025
Future Summit 2025
Attendees, speakers and organizers at Kurumba Maldives
The story so far
Two summits.
A growing mandate.
Each edition builds on the last—moving from a shared diagnosis of the challenges to practical frameworks for a more resilient tourism economy.
Charting the Course
The second edition moved beyond diagnostics and produced actionable frameworks for tourism’s next twenty-five years.June 2024 · Kurumba Maldives
The Inaugural
Gathering
Government, industry and academia came together to establish a credible platform for national tourism dialogue.Complete summit archive
Every session.
Every useful idea.
The complete programmes, speakers, discussion points, recommendations and recordings from both Future Summit editions.
Charting the Course Beyond 2050
June 2025 · Kurumba Maldives · 8 sessionsThe second edition went deeper. Eight sessions tackled the hard questions: How do we keep the Maldives a dream destination for another 25 years? What structural changes does the industry need now to survive 2050? This summit moved beyond diagnostics — it produced actionable frameworks.
01
Welcome Remarks — Introduction of the Future Summit 2025
PD
President, Destination FutureWelcome Remarks
Discussion points
- The vision behind Future Summit — turning dialogue into action for Maldivian tourism
- Destination Future's role as a bridge between industry, government, academia, and the private sector
- Two editions of growing momentum — from 2024's foundation to 2025's expanded programme
02
Opening Remarks — A National Vision for Tourism & Environment
HT
Hon. Thoriq IbrahimMinister of Tourism & Environment, Republic of Maldives
Discussion points
- Called for greater dialogue and closer industry collaboration to support sustainable growth
- Empowering Maldivian hospitality professionals as a national priority
- Expanding cultural offerings beyond sun, sand, and sea
- Embracing data-driven strategies across the tourism sector
For policymakers
- Government committed to closer industry collaboration — tourism policy will be co-designed with stakeholders
- Cultural tourism and heritage experiences identified as the next growth frontier for Maldives
- Data-driven decision making endorsed at the highest level of government
03
Redefining Paradise — How the Maldives Can Stay Ahead in a Competitive Global Tourism Market
DN
Dr. Naushad MohamedThought Leader in Education & Innovation
Discussion points
- The Maldives' unique cultural and natural assets as competitive differentiators
- How education and innovation create sustainable advantage in global tourism
- Lessons from other small-island destinations that successfully differentiated
- Building a knowledge economy around tourism — research, data, and local expertise
For industry
- Invest in cultural tourism products — heritage walks, Maldivian cuisine, local crafts
- Build in-house research capabilities to understand guest preferences before competitors do
- Differentiate through authentic experiences, not just luxury amenities
For policymakers
- Establish a national tourism research institute to inform evidence-based policy
- Create incentives for resorts that incorporate Maldivian cultural programming
- Fund innovation grants for tourism-tech startups founded by Maldivians
04
Industry Updates — From Boom to Balance: Can the Maldives Keep Growing Without Losing What Makes It Special?
AT
Amjad ThaufeegVice Chair, Destination Future
Discussion points
- A data-driven look at Maldivian tourism numbers — historical growth, current trends, and warning signs
- Occupancy rates, average daily rates, and the widening gap between arrivals and revenue
- The carrying capacity question — how many tourists is too many?
- Balancing economic growth with the preservation of what makes Maldives unique
For industry
- Growth without sustainability is not growth — it's borrowing from future generations
- The Maldives must define its own metrics for tourism success beyond arrival numbers
- Current occupancy trends mask underlying risks in per-guest revenue and environmental impact
For policymakers
- Define a national set of tourism success KPIs beyond bed-nights — include environmental health, local employment, and cultural preservation
- Commission an independent carrying capacity study for each atoll
- Create a tourism data observatory that publishes real-time industry metrics
05 · Networking Break — Fuel for the Future
06
Managed Solutions for the Hospitality Industry — Reverse Modelling Across Sectors
RM
Rajesh MehtaChief Business Officer, Ooredoo Maldives
Discussion points
- How managed solutions from telecom and technology sectors can transform resort operations
- The rise of electric cars — what hospitality can learn from automotive disruption
- Swiss watchmaking — how a traditional industry reinvented itself for the digital age
- 3D printing and dark factories — automation lessons for resort operations
- AI Resorts — what a fully intelligent resort looks like and how close we are
For industry
- Adopt reverse modelling — study successful transformations in other industries, then apply the principles to tourism
- Automation should enhance, not replace, the Maldivian hospitality experience
- Invest in AI for back-of-house operations first — guest-facing innovation follows
For policymakers
- Create a regulatory sandbox for tourism-tech innovation in the Maldives
- Partner with telecom operators to build the digital infrastructure for smart resorts
- Develop national AI guidelines specifically for the tourism and hospitality sector
07
Keeping Maldives a Dream Destination Beyond 2050 — What Should We Do Now?
RA
Rifaa Ath SaeedPanel Host — Cluster Director of Sales & Distribution, Dusit Thani Maldives & DusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives
RM
Rajesh MehtaChief Business Officer, Ooredoo Maldives
MU
Mohamed UshauGroup Vice Chair, Strategic Marketing Expert
AF
Ahmed FahudhImagineer / Experience Designer, Hospitality & EdTech
Discussion points
- Long-term vision for Maldives as a luxury and sustainable destination — what must change by 2035 to stay relevant
- Balancing exclusivity with accessibility — can Maldives serve both ultra-luxury and mid-market without diluting brand equity?
- Climate adaptation as a competitive advantage — how resorts can lead on reef restoration and renewable energy
- Infrastructure planning — airport capacity, inter-atoll connectivity, and waste management at scale
For industry
- Invest in climate-proof infrastructure now — retrofitting later costs 3x more
- Luxury and sustainability are not trade-offs; they are the same product in the 2030+ market
- The guest of 2050 will choose destinations based on environmental credentials — start certifying now
For policymakers
- Create a national sustainability certification framework with enforcement — voluntary guidelines are insufficient
- Mandate 50% renewable energy for all new resort developments by 2030
- Establish a sovereign wealth mechanism funded by a tourism sustainability levy
08 · Networking Lunch — Hosted at Vihamanaa Restaurant
09
From Boom to Balance — Can the Maldives Keep Growing Without Losing What Makes It Special?
AT
Amjad ThaufeegPanel Host — Vice Chair, Destination Future
SA
Shaahina AliExecutive Director, Maldives Parley Maldives
NJ
Nurain JanahGroup Vice Chair, Hotels & Resorts, Investment Maldives
AS
Athif ShakoorStudent of Maldivian Economy
Discussion points
- Revenue diversification beyond bed-nights — what ancillary revenue models work at island scale
- Workforce resilience — building a Maldivian talent pipeline that reduces dependence on expatriate labour
- Digital transformation as a resilience layer — data-driven demand forecasting, dynamic pricing, and guest personalisation
- Insurance and risk models for climate-vulnerable tourism assets
For industry
- Diversify revenue beyond occupancy — F&B experiences, wellness, and marine tourism are under-monetised
- Invest 5% of payroll budget annually in upskilling local staff for management roles
- Adopt dynamic pricing powered by real-time demand signals — not seasonal guesswork
For policymakers
- Incentivise resorts that meet Maldivian employment quotas in senior management — not just entry-level
- Fund a national tourism data observatory — shared intelligence benefits every operator
- Develop climate risk disclosure standards for tourism investments — attract ESG-conscious capital
10
Building the Talent Pipeline for a Rapidly Evolving Industry
AR
Aminath RushmaPanel Host — General Manager, Human Resources, Maldivian
AM
Aalim MohamedGroup Director of Human Resources, Pulse Hotels & Resorts
AS
Ali ShaminCluster Director of Talent & Culture, Accor Group
MM
Mauroof MohamedCluster Director of Human Resources, Dusit Thani & DusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives
Discussion points
- Building a Maldivian talent pipeline that reduces dependence on expatriate labour in management roles
- Upskilling and reskilling the existing workforce for a digitally transformed tourism industry
- Attracting young Maldivians to hospitality careers — changing perceptions and creating pathways
- The role of HR leadership in shaping company culture that retains local talent
For industry
- Invest 5% of payroll budget annually in upskilling local staff for management roles
- Create clear career progression pathways — visible from day one of employment
- Partner with local universities and training institutes to build talent pipelines before graduation
For policymakers
- Incentivise resorts that meet Maldivian employment quotas in senior management — not just entry-level
- Fund a national hospitality training academy with curriculum designed by industry
- Introduce tax incentives for companies that invest in local talent development programmes
What attendees said
“The Future Summit created a space for honest conversation that simply doesn't happen elsewhere in Maldivian tourism. It's not a trade show — it's a strategy session for the country.”
Summit Attendee · 2025
“I left with three actionable ideas my resort implemented within six months. That's the measure of a good summit — not just inspiration, but implementation.”
Resort General Manager · 2025
“For the first time, sustainability wasn't a side panel — it was the main conversation. That shift in framing is exactly what the Maldives needed.”
Environmental Advisor · 2024
“Having the Minister of Tourism open the summit sent a powerful signal. This is the table where the future of our industry is being discussed.”
Industry Leader · 2024
Summit impact
The summit ends.
The agenda continues.
Future Summit is valuable only when dialogue becomes legislative action, stronger relationships and public knowledge.
Policy Papers Submitted
Each edition produces formal recommendations delivered to the Ministry of Tourism — turning dialogue into legislative action.
Cross-Sector Collaboration
Government ministers, resort CEOs, environmental scientists and educators in the same room — connections that did not exist before.
National Conversation
Summit sessions viewed thousands of times on YouTube. Key takeaways picked up by industry media and social platforms nationwide.
Our supporters
Made possible by.
The partners whose support brings Future Summit to life.
Kurumba Maldives
Future Summit 2024 & 2025
Ministry of Tourism
Republic of Maldives
MMPRC
Maldives destination partner