The Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies (FHTS) of The Maldives National University (MNU) has officially launched Fathuru Vaahaka — a new tourism dialogue series established to cultivate substantive, industry-led conversations on the future of tourism in the Maldives.

The inaugural edition of the series was held on Saturday, 27 June 2026, at The Maldives National University, under the theme “Tourism in Turbulence: Global Shocks and the Future of Travel Trade in the Maldives.” The Minister of State for Tourism, Dr. Abdulla Niyaz, graced the occasion as Chief Guest.

A Platform for Industry-Led Dialogue

The event convened a distinguished gathering of tourism professionals, policymakers, academics, and industry experts to examine the most pressing challenges and emerging realities confronting the Maldivian tourism sector.

Structured as a high-level industry dialogue, Fathuru Vaahaka featured panel discussion sessions facilitated by leading experts across three interconnected thematic areas:

• Travel and Tourism: examining shifts in global travel demand, source markets, and trade dynamics
• Sustainability: exploring environmental pressures, responsible tourism, and long-term sector viability
• Food and Beverage: addressing evolving guest expectations, supply chain challenges, and culinary identity in the Maldivian tourism experience

Discussions explored how global disruptions, economic uncertainty, environmental pressures, and shifting travel patterns are collectively reshaping the direction of tourism in the Maldives — and what the industry must do to respond with resilience and informed foresight.

Organised by Students, for the Industry

What made the inaugural Fathuru Vaahaka particularly remarkable was that the event was conceived, planned, and executed entirely by students of the Bachelor of International Hospitality Management (BIHM) and Bachelor of International Tourism Management (BITM) programmes at FHTS, as part of their coursework. From event logistics and guest coordination to panel facilitation and on-the-day management, students took full ownership of every aspect of the dialogue series. The result was a seamlessly delivered, professional-grade industry event that drew genuine praise from attendees and speakers alike.

For the students involved, Fathuru Vaahaka was far more than an academic exercise. It was a real-world opportunity to apply classroom learning in a high-stakes, industry-facing environment building confidence, professional networks, and practical competencies that will serve them well beyond their studies. The experience stood as a vivid demonstration of what applied learning in hospitality and tourism education can look like when students are trusted with meaningful responsibility.

Bridging Academia and Industry

As the first event in what is envisioned as an ongoing series, Fathuru Vaahaka reflects FHTS’s commitment to bridging the gap between academia and industry. The series creates a sustained, structured platform for evidence-informed dialogue bringing together voices from across the sector to contribute meaningfully to the long-term development of tourism in the Maldives.

Speaking at the event, Chief Guest and Minister of State for Tourism, Dr. Abdulla Niyaz, underscored the importance of such dialogues in navigating an increasingly complex global tourism landscape and affirmed the government’s commitment to working alongside academic institutions and industry stakeholders to strengthen the sector. Through Fathuru Vaahaka, FHTS aims to position MNU as a central convening space for tourism knowledge, policy discussion, and industry collaboration, not only within the Maldives, but in the wider regional context.

The Faculty looks forward to the next edition of Fathuru Vaahaka, and to seeing the BIHM and BITM student community continue to shape this growing platform with the same dedication, creativity, and professionalism they brought to its inaugural run.

Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals

Fathuru Vaahaka aligns with MNU’s broader commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The dialogue series is particularly relevant to:

SDG 4: Quality Education: the entire event was organised and delivered by BIHM and BITM students as part of their academic coursework, exemplifying experiential, applied learning that prepares graduates for meaningful careers in the tourism and hospitality industry.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: by strengthening industry dialogue, building sector capacity, and supporting the sustainability of one of the Maldives’ most vital economic drivers.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: by encouraging innovation-led conversations and facilitating knowledge exchange between academia and tourism industry stakeholders.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: by fostering meaningful and ongoing collaboration between the university, government bodies, and the private sector.

About the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies

The Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies is one of MNU’s specialist academic faculties, offering programmes in hospitality management, culinary arts, and tourism studies. FHTS plays a central role in developing skilled, industry-ready professionals for the Maldives’ tourism sector, while advancing applied research and strengthening collaboration between the university and the industry it serves. Fathuru Vaahaka is one of several initiatives through which FHTS continues to deepen its engagement with the tourism industry and contribute to informed national dialogue on the sector’s future.

 

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