With over 70 journalists, content creators and influencers from all over the world, Visit Maldives successfully hosted one of the largest and most unique gatherings with innovative approach towards destination promotion.

That the Visit Maldives Storytellers’ Conference 2023, a unique destination promotion conference that involved over 70 journalists, content creators and influencers from across the world, was successful and a conference with a difference became evident with the responses of the participants.

They ranged from, ‘It was truly an incredible experience’, to ‘it was once in a lifetime experience’, proving that the organisers, the destination promotion body, Visit Maldives, also known as Maldives Marketing & PR Corporation, (MMPRC), had very successfully achieved its objective of hosting an event with a unique approach towards destination promotion.

The three-day event, held at a picturesque Crossroads Maldives and which mixed panel discussions and presentations on not just tourism, but also on culture, environment and the future of travel, had a fine balance of serious discussions with some mesmerising experiences that presented all the myriad reasons as to why tourists should head to Maldives and not just once.

The conference also featured reputed speakers, domain experts and specialists from around the world to celebrate, what the organisers rightly say, the beauty and allure of storytelling in the ‘Sunny Side of Life’.

‘‘We are thrilled to have successfully concluded the Visit Maldives Storytellers’ Conference 2023. This event has been a remarkable platform for travel enthusiasts and industry professionals to come together and immerse themselves in the extraordinary beauty of the Maldives. We are excited to see the captivating stories, photos, and videos that will be shared by our participants with the world as they weave their Maldivian stories,’’ says Thoyyib Mohamed, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of MMPRC.

‘‘The origins of this conference go back over two years, when during the peak of the pandemic, we began to think of mounting unique events and experiences to promote our destination. And as the journalists and content creators are all storytellers, why dont we have a storytellers’ conference so that they can tell our stories to the world,’’ Mohamed tells India Outbound, that one of the invitees to the conference.

The Visit Maldives Storytellers’ Conference 2023 was a one-of-a-kind gathering that united over 70 content creators, journalists, bloggers, and industry professionals in an immersive experience to discover and share the wonders of Maldives. Over the course of the conference, participants had the opportunity to connect with the local culture, explore breathtaking landscapes, and understand how to create compelling narratives that showcase the true essence of a destination.

Mohamed adds that the idea was not to have a typical conference where people would be locked in the conference rooms all day. Instead, the destination decided to have an ideal mix of serious panel discussions and presentations, along with the multitude of fun activities that Maldives is renowned for. The conference sessions delved into various topics such as sustainable tourism, responsible travel, cultural preservation, and the power of storytelling to inspire and promote destinations.

For hosting the event, Visit Maldives chose a wide variety of unique sites, ranging from a sandbank to a lagoon. After the conference, the participants embarked on their journeys to eight uniquely enchanting regions of Maldives. There the participants explored various dimensions Maldives as a tourist’s paradise, discovering natural wonders while getting to know the warm and hospitable people, their culture, their history and their delectable cuisine.

Mohamed says that the Visit Maldives Storytellers’ Conference 2023 marks a significant milestone in promoting Maldives as a top-tier tourist destination, showcasing its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, abundant marine life, and rich cultural heritage. By leveraging the power of storytelling, Maldives aims to inspire travellers worldwide and invite them to experience the unmatched beauty and hospitality of the Maldives. He adds that one of the major aims of the conference is to position the country beyond the traditional sun, sand, and sea while increasing awareness of the MICE and sustainable tourism segments among influencers, bloggers, and travel writers.

Mohamed says that everyone who participated in the event was happy, with the experience, the hospitality and the activities. And the invitees back him strongly.

‘‘The Visit Maldives Storytellers’ conference was truly an incredible experience. Both to learn more about the Maldivian islands, the atolls and local customs and to confront other bloggers, journalists and content creators from all over the world,’’ Claudia and Mattia, two Italian content creators tell India Outbound.

‘‘The organisation was perfect and we think this event should be an example to other tourism organisations. A perfect way to show thousands of people a tourist location from different points of view. The conference also offered excellent food for thought on tourism and climate change. We loved discovering the local islands as well as the incredible underwater world,’’ they add.

‘‘Once in a lifetime experience!’’ is how the conference turned out to be for Payal Dedhia, a content creator from India.

‘‘The Visit Maldives Storytellers’ conference 2023 has been all things luxury that anyone can ever imagine. Executed to perfection, the conference by the beach has created some necessary conversations that we as creators need to focus on. I had some great discussions with people from all around the world and heard so many new stories. The ‘Historic Haa Alif & Haa Dhaalu’ sideline experience was filled with so many adventure activities and new experiences. The team that I belonged to for the latter part of the conference was indeed so much fun. The memories I have made with these people will stay with me forever. Visit Maldives team has created this leading example that I am sure many tourist boards will take up in the coming times. I truly feel honoured to have been part of this! Thank you Visit Maldives and to the all the incredible people I met and the experiences I got to live!’’ Dedhia tells India Outbound.

For Svemirka Seyfert, a travel blogger from Germany it was a unique experience, even though she had visited the Maldives several times earlier. ‘‘After only a few hours, I made many new friends, great storytellers from all over the world, and took an entire island nation to my heart. On none of my previous trips to the Maldives have I received as much information and insights as I did at the Visit Maldives Storytellers’ Conference 2023!’’ she tells India Outbound.

She adds that the conference was a learning experience as well. ‘‘The challenges this unique island nation faces and the state of its economy, tourism and numerous initiatives are insights that broaden my horizons. In particular, I was impressed with how government programs are addressing the environment. About 70 pc of coral reefs suffered discoloration in 1998 due to global warming. One of the notable initiatives is reef restoration, which I was able to witness firsthand with a group of storytellers. With our own hands, we planted a tree in the sea from live coral. During a snorkelling tour afterwards, we examined countless of these baby corals that grow in the sea and give colorful, large and small fish a home again,’’ says Seyfert.

‘‘It is often said from afar that the Maldives will sink. But we should do everything to prevent this from happening. The environment concerns us all. This message will be carried to many parts of the world through the Storyteller’s Conference and will hopefully ensure much more understanding, further initiatives and definitely international support,’’ she says, proving that MMPRC had accomplished their mission in hosting the Storytellers’ Conference 2023.