Maldives to host World Creator Summit and World Creator Awards 2026 | News
The Maldives will enter the global stage as a new hub for the creative economy with the launch of the World Creator Summit 2026 and the World Creator Awards 2026, powered by Creatoll.
Taking place from September 20 to 25, 2026, the new program will bring together leading creators, platforms, publishers, tourism stakeholders and brand partners for a high-level international meeting focused on the growing influence of creator-led storytelling in travel and tourism.
Developed by Visit Maldives in collaboration with the organizers of the renowned World Travel Awards, the initiative is positioned as a premium, invitation-only platform with a strong emphasis on quality, curation and long-term value. The ambition is to establish the Maldives not only as a host destination, but also as a global meeting point for the future of creator-led influence, destination storytelling and the broader creator economy.
Powered by Creatoll, Visit Maldives’ dedicated creator platform, the program will connect global talent with tourism partners and brands while showcasing the Maldives through authentic, high-quality content and international storytelling.
As destination marketing continues to evolve, creators are playing an increasingly important role in the way places are discovered, understood and experienced. In addition to reach, they also provide credibility, cultural relevance and emotional connection, allowing destinations to engage audiences in ways that feel more authentic, immediate and commercially effective.
The 2026 founding edition will consist of a tightly curated group of approximately 50 participants, guaranteeing a high-quality and impactful experience. The program will combine thought leadership, destination activation and recognition, with themes expected to include wellness, luxury, sustainability, culture and innovation in tourism.
The program includes:
World Creator Summit: An invitation-only forum exploring the future of destination storytelling and bringing together creators, destinations, publishers, platforms and partners in a more interactive and collaborative format than a traditional conference
World Creator Awards: a new global recognition platform celebrating excellence in creator-led destination storytelling, digital influence, creative craftsmanship and cultural impact
Curated experiences in the Maldives: designed to give participants direct access to the people, places and stories that make the destination distinctive, while creating meaningful opportunities for content creation and international visibility
The initiative is expected to attract participants from key international markets including India, the UK, China, Russia, France, Germany and Italy, strengthening the Maldives’ position as one of the world’s most visible and aspirational travel destinations.
To deliver the programme, Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) has entered into a strategic partnership with the organizers of the renowned World Travel Awards, which will support concept development, international positioning and program curation. Creatoll will serve as a key platform within the broader events ecosystem.
The partnership was formalized at an official signing ceremony in Malé on April 2, 2026. Visit Maldives Corporation represented CEO and Managing Director Ibrahim Shiuree, while Justin Cooke attended in his capacity as Executive Vice President of the World Travel Awards.
Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and Managing Director of Visit Maldives Corporation, said: “The way destinations are marketed is changing rapidly, and creators are now at the center of that shift. The World Creator Summit and World Creator Awards, powered by Creatoll, will give the Maldives 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 going.”
Justin Cooke, Executive Vice President of World Travel Awards, said: “The ambition is to create something distinctive, premium and internationally relevant, not a generic social media event, but a serious platform for the future of destination storytelling. The Maldives is an extraordinary setting for that conversation, and this founding edition is designed to bring together creators, platforms, publishers and destination leaders to shape what comes next.”
Through the launch of the World Creator Summit and World Creator Awards, powered by Creatoll, Maldives is supporting a platform that reflects the increasing influence of creator-led media and the growing importance of credible, culturally-resonant storytelling in tourism.
