Maldives Holds Road Shows in India to Attract Tourists

To entice Indian tourists back to the Maldives, a leading tourism group there will organize road shows in key Indian cities. Concerned by the dwindling number of Indian visitors, the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators recently met with India's High Commissioner, Munu Mahawar, to discuss boosting travel and tourism ties between the nations.

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared images and videos of the picturesque Lakshadweep Islands on India's west coast, three Maldivian officials made derogatory remarks about India and PM Modi on social media. This led to a strong backlash against the Maldives.

Indian Tourist Count Declines in Maldives Tourism

Many Indians, including numerous celebrities, canceled their Maldives reservations and abandoned travel plans following derogatory remarks made by three Maldivian officials about India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Consequently, India's ranking as a top visitor country plummeted from first to fifth, and now stands at sixth position after January.

The Maldives' Ministry of Tourism recently published its monthly report on tourist arrivals, detailing the numbers from January to March of the current year. According to the report, the influx of Indian tourists amounted to 56,208 during the same period in 2023. However, in the January-March 2024 period, this figure decreased notably to 34,847, marking a significant 38% decline compared to the previous year.

According to statistics from the Maldives' Ministry of Tourism, as of April 10 this year, out of the total 663,269 tourists arriving, China remained the top source with 71,995 visitors, followed by the United Kingdom, Russia, Italy, Germany, and India.

Strategic Alliances to Boost Indian Tourism to Maldives

Following talks at a meeting hosted at the Indian High Commission in Male, MATATO stated its intention to work closely with the commission to enhance tourism efforts, as reported by Sun.mv news portal.

MATATO announced plans to conduct extensive road shows in major Indian cities and organize trips for influencers and media to visit the Maldives in the coming months. They emphasized the importance of India as a key tourism market and expressed eagerness to collaborate with leading travel associations and industry players in India to enhance the Maldives' status as a top travel destination.

The Association hailed its meeting with the Indian High Commissioner as a sign of MATATO's ongoing commitment to strengthening tourism ties between the Maldives and India. They expressed optimism about the potential for collaborative efforts to drive sustainable growth in the region's tourism sector.

Before the recent diplomatic tensions, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, had requested India to withdraw its 88 military personnel, citing concerns over sovereignty. Muizzu announced that by May 10, all Indian military personnel, including those in civilian attire, would be repatriated, signaling a shift in policy.

Also read: Diplomatic Row Between India and Maldives - Maldives Tourism gets affected