Maldives Showcases Culinary Excellence at Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026

The Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) participated in the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026, a premier global culinary event that was held from 16 to 19 May 2026 at the International Convention Centre Wales. Through the globally recognised platform, Visit Maldives showcased the rich culinary heritage and diverse gastronomic experiences of the Sunny Side of Life to an international audience of both B2B and B2C stakeholders, further strengthening the Maldives’ positioning in key global markets.

The Worldchefs Congress & Expo brought together leading chefs, culinary educators, hospitality professionals and industry leaders from around the world. The 2026 edition featured high-level competitions, expert-led discussions and extensive networking opportunities, creating an ideal environment for destinations to build partnerships, exchange knowledge and explore new business opportunities within the global culinary sector.

According to Visit Maldives, participation in the event positioned the Maldives as a premier gastronomy destination by highlighting its unique blend of heritage cuisine and world-class dining experiences. The Maldives’ culinary identity, deeply rooted in local traditions and shaped by its island geography, was showcased alongside the exceptional fine dining offerings available across luxury resorts, reinforcing the destination’s reputation for delivering high-end experiential tourism.

Visit Maldives stated that the event also served as a strategic platform to strengthen relationships with international culinary associations, renowned chefs and key hospitality stakeholders, while supporting continued growth in visitor arrivals from priority markets. The event provided opportunities to engage with trade media and industry professionals, generating positive destination visibility and valuable coverage in leading culinary and travel publications.

Visitors to the Maldives stand experienced live demonstrations of authentic Maldivian heritage cuisine, offering an immersive introduction to the flavours and techniques that define the destination. The stand also facilitated one-on-one meetings with travel trade and culinary professionals, while promotional materials including leaflets, stickers and curated culinary factsheets were distributed to enhance destination awareness and recall.

The Maldivian delegation engaged with a targeted audience comprising professional chefs, culinary educators, hospitality and F&B leaders, luxury travel trade partners, as well as international media and food influencers. Insights gathered during the event will contribute to future marketing strategies and support the alignment of the Maldives’ tourism offerings with evolving global travel and culinary trends.
Participation in the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026 aligned with Visit Maldives’ broader marketing strategy to diversify destination appeal, promote experiential tourism and enhance global visibility through targeted industry platforms. Visit Maldives remains committed to strengthening its presence in key international markets while driving sustainable growth for the Maldivian tourism industry.

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