Cocoon Maldives, Joy Island and You & Me Maldives, the three Maldives resorts of The Cocoon Collection, marked World Tourism Day 2026 with full-day programmes inspired by this year’s global theme, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.”
Across the three islands, guests and team members explored how technology, artificial intelligence and sustainability can shape the future of tourism while keeping the personal connections that define island hospitality.
Celebrations began at Cocoon Maldives with friendly competition of beach games for guests and team members. The day continued with a World Tourism Day Cocktail Party and Presentation at Loabi Loabi Bar. The presentation highlighted tourism as the backbone of the Maldivian economy and a source of livelihoods for thousands of families across the atolls, and it reaffirmed the resort’s commitment to protecting its reefs, beaches and marine life. Its centrepiece looked at how AI can personalise the guest journey.
Joy Island began the day at the main restaurant, The Market with Guests’ Ideas Wall, inviting guests to share their views on the future of travel. In the afternoon, team members joined an AI Brainstorming and Information Session at Joy Connect Conference Hall to explore practical uses of AI and digital technologies to enhance the guest experience.
A Coral Planting Activity at Palm Beach underlined the resort’s commitment to marine conservation, and teams from across the resort took part in the AI Creative Challenge, developing AI-driven concepts for the future of tourism, with prizes for the first, second and third-place teams. The day ended with a Management Cocktail and Presentation at Rainbow Bar Beach, where the leadership team shared insights into Joy Island’s digital roadmap and future direction.
At the adults-only You & Me Maldives, the day opened at Cheers Bar with the AI x Human Discovery Challenge, a scavenger hunt using a QR-code-powered Digital Passport. Guests visited six locations (the Beach, Restaurant, Reef, Spa, Water Sports Centre and Jetty), scanning QR codes and answering AI-related questions to unlock their passport.
A Cake Cutting Ceremony was held in the evening followed by a Management Cocktail Reception, where the resort unveiled The You & Me Tourism Manifesto 2026, built around the theme “Real Ideas, Brighter Tomorrows.” At the AI-Assisted Ideas Station on the beach, guests shared their views on where tourism is heading and shaped them into practical ideas. Management will review the ideas collected, and the resort will consider them for upcoming initiatives.
Through initiatives such as these, The Cocoon Collection continues to explore new ways to combine innovation, meaningful guest experiences and environmental responsibility in shaping the future of island hospitality.
World Tourism Day, observed annually on 27 September, highlights the social, cultural, political and economic significance of tourism globally. This year’s theme emphasises the responsible use of digital transformation and artificial intelligence to create more connected, innovative, efficient and sustainable tourism experiences.