Maldives to Conduct Roadshows in India to Increase Tourism Amid Tensions

The Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) recently engaged in discussions with India’s High Commissioner, Munu Mahawar, to explore opportunities for enhancing travel and tourism cooperation between the two countries. This comes in the wake of a significant decline in the number of Indian tourists visiting the Maldives. Following derogatory remarks against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi by three Maldivian officials on social media, a strong backlash occurred.

This was triggered by Modi’s sharing of photos and videos of the pristine Lakshadweep Islands on India’s west coast. As a result, numerous Indian tourists, including celebrities, canceled their reservations and dropped plans to visit the Maldives. The impact of this backlash is evident in the tourism arrival statistics, with India’s position as a top visitor country slipping to fifth and subsequently to the sixth position after January.

According to the Maldives’ Ministry of Tourism statistics, China, the United Kingdom, Russia, Italy, and Germany have surpassed India in tourist arrivals. In response to these developments, MATATO expressed its intention to collaborate closely with the Indian High Commission in the Maldives to bolster tourism initiatives. It outlined plans for comprehensive road shows across key Indian cities and to facilitate influencer and media familiarisation trips to the Maldives in the upcoming months.

Acknowledging India as a crucial tourist market for the Maldives, MATATO expressed its eagerness to partner with prominent travel associations and industry stakeholders in India to further promote the Maldives as a premier travel destination. Meanwhile, Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, announced that no Indian military personnel, even in civilian clothes, would be present in the Maldives after the repatriation of 88 personnel by May 10. This move reflects the evolving dynamics in the region.