The Maldives is preparing to reinforce its standing on the international tourism stage with the launch of the World Creator Summit 2026 and the World Creator Awards 2026, powered by Creatoll. Scheduled to take place from 20 to 25 September 2026, the new programme is set to bring together leading creators, platforms, publishers, tourism stakeholders and brand partners for a high-level international gathering focused on the growing impact of creator-led storytelling in travel and tourism.
Developed by Visit Maldives in collaboration with the organisers of the renowned World Travel Awards, the initiative is being introduced as a premium, invitation-only platform built around quality, careful curation and long-term value. The wider vision is to position the Maldives not only as a host destination for a distinguished international event, but also as a global meeting point for discussions on the future of creator-led influence, destination storytelling and the expanding creator economy.
Powered by Creatoll, Visit Maldives’ dedicated creator platform, the programme is expected to connect global creative talent with tourism partners and brands while presenting the Maldives to international audiences through authentic, high-quality content. This approach reflects the changing dynamics of destination marketing, where creators are playing an increasingly influential role in shaping how destinations are discovered, experienced and understood by travellers around the world. Their work offers not only reach, but also trust, cultural relevance and emotional connection, making their storytelling especially valuable in today’s highly competitive tourism landscape.
For the Maldives, the launch of this programme represents a timely and strategic step that aligns closely with the country’s continued efforts to strengthen its reputation as one of the world’s most desirable travel destinations. With its globally recognised luxury resorts, exceptional natural beauty, rich marine environment, distinct island hospitality and growing focus on sustainability and wellness, the Maldives offers an ideal setting for an event centred on destination storytelling. The country’s resort industry, which has long served as the backbone of the Maldivian tourism economy, stands to gain further international visibility through this initiative as creators and media partners engage directly with the experiences, settings and stories that define the destination.
The 2026 founding edition will feature a tightly curated group of around 50 participants, ensuring a highly focused and high-impact experience. Organisers expect the programme to combine thought leadership, destination activation and global recognition, with themes likely to include wellness, luxury, sustainability, culture and innovation in tourism. This format is designed to encourage meaningful collaboration and deeper engagement among participants while highlighting the Maldives as a destination that continues to evolve with global travel trends.
The programme will include the World Creator Summit, described as an invitation-only forum exploring the future of destination storytelling. Rather than following the format of a traditional conference, it is expected to provide a more interactive and collaborative environment where creators, destinations, publishers, platforms and partners can exchange ideas and shape new approaches to tourism communication. The World Creator Awards will serve as a new global recognition platform celebrating excellence in creator-led destination storytelling, digital influence, creative craft and cultural impact. In addition, curated experiences across the Maldives will give participants direct access to the people, places and stories that make the destination unique, while also creating valuable opportunities for content production and international exposure.
The event is expected to attract participants from major international markets including India, the United Kingdom, China, Russia, France, Germany and Italy. This broad market representation is expected to further reinforce the Maldives’ strong position as one of the world’s most visible and aspirational travel destinations, while opening additional opportunities for tourism partnerships, brand engagement and international media attention.
To deliver the programme, Visit Maldives Corporation has entered into a strategic collaboration with the organisers of the World Travel Awards, who will contribute to concept development, international positioning and programme curation. Creatoll will serve as an important enabling platform within the wider event ecosystem, supporting the integration of creators, tourism partners and brands in a way that adds value to the destination and enhances its global storytelling reach.
The partnership was formally sealed during an official signing ceremony held in Malé on 2 April 2026. Visit Maldives Corporation was represented by its CEO and Managing Director Ibrahim Shiuree, while Justin Cooke attended as Executive Vice President of the World Travel Awards. The ceremony marked an important milestone in the lead-up to the 2026 programme and signalled the start of a collaboration aimed at building a distinctive new international platform from the Maldives.
Commenting on the significance of the initiative, Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and Managing Director of Visit Maldives Corporation, said that the way destinations are marketed is changing rapidly and that creators are now central to that transformation. He noted that the World Creator Summit and World Creator Awards, powered by Creatoll, will provide the Maldives with a powerful new platform at the heart of the global conversation, bringing together leading talent, fresh ideas and new partnerships in a way that reflects where the industry is heading.
Justin Cooke, Executive Vice President of the World Travel Awards, said the ambition is to create something distinctive, premium and internationally relevant, rather than a generic social media event. He described the initiative as a serious platform for the future of destination storytelling and said the Maldives provides an extraordinary setting for that conversation. He added that the founding edition is designed to bring together creators, platforms, publishers and destination leaders to help shape what comes next.
By launching the World Creator Summit and World Creator Awards, powered by Creatoll, the Maldives is investing in a platform that reflects the growing influence of creator-led media and the rising importance of credible, culturally resonant storytelling in tourism. As the global travel industry continues to evolve, the initiative is expected to support the Maldives in strengthening its international brand, expanding the reach of its resort and tourism offerings, and deepening its role as a destination that inspires both travellers and the wider global tourism community.
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