Amid tension in diplomatic ties, the Maldives will hold roadshows in India to entice tourists back

India-Maldives Row: A prominent tourism organisation in Male has announced that it would undertake roadshows throughout important Indian cities in the midst of a diplomatic dispute, seemingly an effort to entice Indian visitors back to the Maldives. This occurs while the number of Indian visitors to the Maldives is still dropping. The island country has been subject to strong criticism and a boycott movement after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made disparaging statements about Lakshadweep and the Maldives.

According to news agency PTI, the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) and India’s High Commissioner, Munu Mahawar, held talks on strengthening travel and tourism cooperation between the two nations.

According to the Sun.mv news site, MATATO said after the meeting at the Indian High Commission in Male that they want to collaborate closely with the Indian High Commission in the Maldives to enhance tourism-related activities.

According to this trajectory, influencer and media familiarisation excursions to the Maldives will be facilitated in the next months, and extensive road shows will be launched in important Indian cities, according to MATAO.

“While India remains a crucial tourist market to the Maldives, MATATO states they look forward to partnering with prominent travel associations and industry stakeholders across India to further promote the Maldives as a premier travel destination,” it said.

China led the way with 71,995 visitors this year as of April 10, according to the Maldives’ Ministry of Tourism. China was followed by the UK (66,999), Russia (66,803), Italy (61,379), Germany (52,256), and India (37,417).

Maldives-India Conflict:

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, who is seen as being pro-Chinese, said upon taking office that he would honour his election pledge to remove Indian military forces from the island country, which caused diplomatic ties between India and the Maldives to deteriorate.

Following several Maldivian politicians, including ministers, making disparaging statements against Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep, a spat broke out between India and the Maldives. In a social media post, Maldivian minister Abdulla Mahzoom Majid said that India is drawing attention away from the Maldives by endorsing Lakshadweep as an additional tourism destination. But on January 7, the island country removed three ministers from their positions due to intense internet criticism.