Maldives: tourism in the age of escapism

How has a small island nation become one of the most iconic luxury tourism destinations in the world? As the Maldives tourism and resort industry looks to reopen what obstacles and opportunities lay ahead.

This web event will provide insight into the current situation that hotels are experiencing on the ground and provide a framework for looking forward at the journey towards recovery.

Listen to a set of experts both inside the Maldives and key players abroad as they talk about how to chart a course in the new age of travel disruption.

A special segment will present a survey of qualified travelers in first tier cities in China and key learnings about their sentiment towards visiting the Maldives and key demand generators.

The event is invaluable for hotels and hospitality groups either operating in the Maldives or viewing opportunities in one what continues to be one of the most exciting global leisure marketplaces.


Speakers

• Sonu Shivdasani, CEO and Joint Creative Director -
An environmental pioneer of back-to-nature luxury holidays and tourism revolutionary, who is also the co-founder of Soneva.

• Jesper Palmqvist, Area Director Asia Pacific STR
Heads the Asia Pacific team for one of the world’s leading hospitality data intelligence companies.

• David Keen, CEO QUO
Asia’s leading hospitality brand strategist. He is a thought leader in destination branding and possesses extensive experience across Maldives’ many markets.

• Abdulla Ghiyas, PATA Face of the Future 2018 and Chair of PATA Maldives Chapter
He is the former President of the Maldives Association of Travel Agents & Tour Operators (MATATO). a serial entrepreneur in leading travel and start-up businesses; such as Inner Maldives Holidays, Ace Travels Maldives, Spence Maldives, Universal Aviation Maldives, and Margaritum.

• Dirk De Cuyper, CEO S Hotels & Resorts Public Company Limited
A veteran in the hospitality business spanning across Asia for over 20 years.

• Ghaly Murthala, Founder and Managing Director Morteza Capital
A seasoned hotel investment expert with over 15 years in the Maldivian hospitality industry.

• Bill Barnett, Managing Director, C9 Hotelworks
One of the most authoritative voices in the hospitality and real estate industries in Asia. Author of the China Maldives Travel Sentiment Survey 2020

• Vanessa Zhu, China Director, Delivering Asia Communications
China team director for Delivering Asia Communications based in Shanghai. Research lead of the China Philippines Travel Sentiment Survey 2020

Moderator
· David Johnson, CEO, Delivering Asia Communications
Heads Asia’s leading hospitality PR company. Based in Bangkok, DAC specialises in strategic communications, media relations and digital marketing across every Asian marketplace


More information/questions:
Sumi Soorian
Business Development Director
Delivering Asia Communications
e: ss@deliveringasia.com
t: +668 7468 8588