The Maldives is set to step onto the global stage as a new hub for the creator economy with the launch of the World Creator Summit 2026 and the World Creator Awards 2026, powered by Creatoll.
Taking place from 20 to 25 September 2026, the new programme will bring together leading creators, platforms, publishers, tourism stakeholders and brand partners for a high-level international gathering focused on the growing influence 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 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 as a global meeting point for the future of creator-led influence, destination storytelling and the wider creator economy.
Powered by Creatoll, Visit Maldives’ dedicated creator platform, the programme will connect global talent with tourism partners and brands while helping showcase the Maldives through authentic, high-quality content and international storytelling.
As destination marketing continues to evolve, creators are playing an increasingly important role in how places are discovered, understood and experienced. Beyond reach alone, they bring credibility, cultural relevance and emotional connection, helping destinations engage audiences in ways that feel more authentic, more immediate and more commercially effective.
The 2026 founding edition will feature a tightly curated group of approximately 50 participants, ensuring a high-quality and high-impact experience. The programme will blend thought leadership, destination activation and recognition, with themes expected to include wellness, luxury, sustainability, culture and innovation in tourism.
The programme will include:
World Creator Summit: an invitation-only forum exploring the future of destination storytelling, 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 craft and cultural impact
Curated experiences across 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 United Kingdom, China, Russia, France, Germany and Italy, reinforcing 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 collaboration with the organisers of the renowned World Travel Awards, who will support concept development, international positioning and programme curation. Creatoll will serve as a key enabling platform within the wider event ecosystem.
The partnership was formalised during an official signing ceremony in Malé on 2 April 2026. Representing Visit Maldives Corporation was 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 fast, and creators are now central to 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 heading.”
Justin Cooke, Executive Vice President, 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 help shape what comes next.”
By launching the World Creator Summit and World Creator Awards, powered by Creatoll, the Maldives is backing a platform that reflects the rising influence of creator-led media and the growing importance of credible, culturally resonant storytelling in tourism.
