Visit Maldives Unveils "Islands Are Us" as Theme for Tourism Year 2027

Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) has unveiled "Islands Are Us" as the official theme for Visit Maldives Year 2027. The theme was revealed on 13 August 2026 at the Quarterly Insights Maldives Tourism Intelligence Briefing for Q3 2026, held at Barcelo Nasandhura Male.

Five tourism stakeholder associations joined VMC for the reveal. The Maldives Association of Tourism Industry, National Hotels and Guesthouses Association of Maldives, National Boating Association of Maldives, Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators, and Maldives Association of Yacht Agents all took part.

The theme builds on the Maldives' strongest global association: its islands. Rather than treating that as just a geographic fact, VMC is framing it as the core of the country's identity. Island life has shaped local communities, traditions, livelihoods and the relationship with the ocean for generations, and the campaign wants that story told alongside the usual images of sun and sand.

Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen said the theme is rooted in something fundamental to the country. He added that Visit Maldives Year 2027 gives the industry a chance to bring communities and partners together behind one national platform.

The rollout comes with a new visual system built around eight symbols. The heron, pink rose, box fish, Bodu Mas, parrot fish, conch shell, fiddler crab and whale shark each represent one of eight tourism segments: adventure, romance, family, culture, luxury, MICE, sustainability and wellness.

VMC CEO and Managing Director Ibrahim Shiuree said the goal is to add more layers to an image the world already has of the Maldives, giving the destination one idea through which many different stories can be told.

This is only the first stage of the rollout. The full branding and official logo for Visit Maldives Year 2027 will be unveiled on 3 October 2027, during the official National Tourism Day function. Resorts, travel agents and DMCs can expect the "Islands Are Us" platform to show up increasingly in campaigns, events and partnerships over the coming year as VMC builds toward the full launch.