MR. ABDULLA GHIYAS RIYAZ
CHAIRPERSON
Mr. Abdulla Ghiyas was appointed as a Board of Director of Visit Maldives Corporation on 11th July 2024.
He is the Chair of the PATA Maldives Chapter, the PATA Face of the Future 2018, and the current President of the Maldives Association of Travel Agents & Tour Operators (MATATO). Over the past several years, he has led MATATO, having been involved with the NGO for nearly 18 years in roles ranging from Board Member to Treasurer to Vice President.
In his current role, he has supported the independent non-profit organization with a variety of activities, including advocacy, training, recognition, familiarization trips, international trade shows, destination marketing, government lobbying, and whistleblowing.
With 20 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry, Abdulla Ghiyas became the youngest Board Director of the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) from 2014 to 2018. In 2010, Junior Chamber International (JCI) Maldives recognized him as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons in the Maldives. In 2018, he was named PATA Face of the Future. Additionally, he serves as the Deputy at the Consulate of the Republic of Seychelles to the Maldives.
A serial entrepreneur, Ghiyas leads travel businesses and startups in the Maldives. In 2019, he was named one of TTG Asia’s 45 Trendsetters in Asia / Agents of Change. He has been featured in various interviews and global leading news outlets, including CNN and BBC.
MR. IBRAHIM SHIUREE
CEO & MANAGING DIRECTOR / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mr. Ibrahim Shiuree was appointed as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director (CEO & MD) and Board of Director of Visit Maldives Corporation on 13th June 2024.
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director (CEO & MD) of Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC), holds an impressive educational background and diverse portfolio of professional experience. He earned his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) specializing in Public Relations & Communication from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Malaysia in 2011.
In his professional career, Mr. Shiuree has served as Director Projects & Infrastructure at United Development Pvt Ltd since August 2011, overseeing strategic advice and performance monitoring across various projects, including significant roles in airport expansions and infrastructure development projects such as Fuvahmulah, Dharavandhoo, Ifuru, Kooddoo, Kudahuvadhoo, and Kulhudhuffushi airports. Additionally, he actively contributes to community and industry associations as an Executive Board Member of the Maldives National Association of Construction Industry (MNACI) since April 2017, advocating for industry development and standards. He also, holds the position of Vice President at the Table Tennis Association of Maldives (TTAM) since September 2020, where he works to promote the sport nationally and internationally.
Mr. Shiuree’s achievements extend beyond his professional career into sports, where he has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades, including the National Youth Award at age 16, and several gold, silver, and bronze medals in international sporting events. He is also the proud recipient of ‘The National Award of Recognition’ for his contributions to sports development and promoting professional sportsmanship.
MS. MAHA NASEER
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Ms. Maha Naseer was appointed as a Board of Director of Visit Maldives Corporation on 26th December 2024.
A highly accomplished culinary professional, Ms. Maha brings a wealth of experience spanning various culinary domains. With more than 10 years of experience in the tourism industry, she has held key positions, showcasing her leadership skills and culinary expertise.
Currently serving as a Freelance F&B Consultant and Entrepreneur, Ms. Maha has demonstrated her culinary expertise in different capacities. She has successfully navigated roles as a Freelance F&B Consultant and Pastry Designer, contributing her innovative thinking to projects at renowned establishments such as Fihalhohi Island Resort and Amilla Fushi Maldives. Additionally, her dedication to the culinary arts extends to teaching, where she has served as an instructor, sharing her knowledge and skills with aspiring chefs.
Maha’s remarkable achievements include being recognized as the first Maldivian to receive the prestigious “Master Chef” recognition by the World Master Chef Society. Her strategic thinking and organizational skills were further honored during her term of service as the Secretary General of The Chefs Guild of Maldives from 2019 to 2023.
Maha, a proud graduate in culinary arts and cuisine from Singapore Creative Culinaire (2014), holds a MasterChef certification from the World MasterChef Society (2022). Additionally, her commitment to the art of baking is evident through her graduation from the prestigious Lavonne Academy of Baking Science and Pastry Arts in 2017.
MS. AMINATH VULAU MOHAMED NAZIM
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Ms. Aminath Vulau Mohamed Nazim was appointed as a Board of Director of Visit Maldives Corporation on 16th January 2024.
She did her undergraduate and postgraduate studies in the prestigious University of Birmingham, UK, in Hospitality, Tourism Management, and is currently pursuing her PhD in the University of Primorska, Slovenia, in Innovative Tourism.
She has been working in the field of hospitality and tourism in the Maldives and previously in the UK for the past 15 years.
She is the co-founder and MD of Hotel 78 Group Private Limited. Their portfolio includes two of the longest-running and top-rated guesthouses and restaurants in Hulhumale’ and have recently expanded into logistics and transport as well. h78 has won various awards, including the Agoda Gold Circle award, TripAdvisor traveler recommendation awards and Booking.com awards, just to name a few in its 9 years in operation.
She has been serving as the Chairperson of one of the first corporate society boards in the Maldives for the past 7 years. She also sits on the advisory board of the Fertility Support Community, an organization that helps couples to get fertility assistance and to spread awareness about fertility issues. Her key strengths are in strategy development and research. As well as having worked in the Maldives and abroad, she has a unique understanding of cultural nuances and a wealth of experience that she uses in work at her successful businesses to understand and serve customers better.
During her PhD. studies, she has undertaken various research projects and understands the value of a data-driven marketing strategy. She is one of the first female owners and leaders in the fast-growing guesthouse industry here in the Maldives.
MR. ABDUL SAMEEU IMAD
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mr. Abdul Sameeu Imad was appointed as a Board of Director of Visit Maldives Corporation on 4th July 2024.
He is an accomplished software engineer, entrepreneur, and marketing strategist who has made significant contributions to the tourism and technology sectors. He served in positions such as Senior Software Developer and Project Manager, leading enterprise projects that integrated advanced telecom and billing systems. Abdul Sameeu Imad’s technical acumen is further evidenced by his publication, ‘Remodeling the Hospitality Industry through Artificial Intelligence’, and his active membership in IEEE.
As Vice President of the Guesthouse Association of Maldives, Abdul Sameeu Imad advocates for the growth of local guesthouses, enhancing their global visibility through strategic marketing initiatives. His entrepreneurial journey also includes managing multiple guesthouses and marketing campaigns, which have significantly boosted tourist arrivals in the Maldives.
MS. AISHATH HAMEED
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Ms. Aishath Hameed was appointed as a Board Director of the Visit Maldives Corporation on 4th July 2024.
She holds a Master of Science in Global Marketing Management from Asia Pacific University, Malaysia, and has extensive experience in marketing and public relations. With over 10 years of experience in these fields, she worked at STO Group companies for 13 years, where she developed strong leadership and team management skills. Aishath has held key roles at companies like Maldive Gas Pvt. Ltd., where she has contributed to marketing, sales, and project development since 2016.