Maldives to hold roadshows in India to woo tourists back amid strained ties

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, April 12, 2024: As the number of Indian tourists arriving in the Maldives continues to decline amid the strained diplomatic relations between the two countries, a major tourism body in the island nation has announced that they will hold roadshows across Indian cities to woo back Indian tourists.

The Maldives faced severe backlash and a boycott campaign after multiple Maldivian officials, including Ministers, used derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January after he compared Lakshadweep to the Maldives upon his visit to the Union Territory.

The plans to enhance travel and tourism cooperation, including conducting the roadshows, were announced by the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) following a discussion with the Indian High Commissioner in Male on April 8.

“MATATO expressed its intention to collaborate closely with the Indian High Commission in Maldives to bolster tourism initiatives. Plans are underway to launch a comprehensive roadshow across key cities in India and to facilitate influencer and media familiarisation trips to the Maldives in the forthcoming months,” the tourism body said in a statement.

The association noted that India remains a vital market for Maldivian tourism, adding that they look forward to partnering with prominent travel associations and industry stakeholders across India to further promote the Maldives as a premier travel destination.

According to official data released by the Maldives Ministry of Tourism, the country witnessed a notable drop in the number of Indian travellers visiting the island nation following the diplomatic row. In 2023, out of over 17 lakh tourists who visited the Maldives, the majority were Indians (2,09,198), followed by Russians and Chinese. However, in the weeks following the diplomatic tensions, the number of Indians has slipped to fifth position.

The relationship between India and the Maldives took a murky turn in the recent past after the pro-China President came to power in November last year.