Maldives Tourism: The situation of Maldives tourism has worsened after the boycott by Indian tourists. The Tourism and Travel Association of Maldives has sought help from India to improve tourism in its country. Regarding this, Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators met Indian High Commissioner Munu Mahavar on Monday. During this, the association asked the High Commission to cooperate in Maldives tourism.
After the meeting with the High Commissioner, the association has issued a statement, in which it has been said that ‘Road-shows will be organized in major cities of India to promote tourism in Maldives. Also, work is going on to arrange for influential and media-savvy people of India to visit Maldives.
Uproar over speaking against PM Modi
In fact, in the month of January, the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi Lakshadweep was presented as a tourist destination by the Government of India. After this, three ministers of Maldives made derogatory remarks against PM Modi, after which the trend of Maldives Boycott started in India. For damage control, the Maldivian government removed all three ministers from their posts, yet the tourism industry of Maldives suffered a major blow. After this incident, the number of Indian tourists in Maldives is continuously decreasing.
Indian tourists decreased in Maldives
Before the month of January, India was the largest tourist market of Maldives, in the years 2021, 2022 and 2023, maximum number of Indian tourists had reached Maldives. According to the report of Maldives media Adhadhu, more than 41,000 Indian tourists reached Maldives in March 2023. Whereas in March 2024, only 27,224 Indian tourists visited Maldives. In the year 2023, more than 17 lakh tourists visited Maldives, out of which the maximum number of around 2 lakh 10 thousand were Indian tourists. After this there were passengers from Russia and China.