In the preceding three years, an impressive number exceeding 200,000 individuals from India embarked on voyages to the Maldives annually, marking the most substantial influx from any nation post the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, the once-vibrant destination for Indian travelers is presently encountering a substantial downturn.
From formerly dominating as the foremost demographic of tourists exploring the Maldives, Indians have now regressed to occupying the fifth position within the span of the past three weeks, as per official data, amidst a diplomatic discord between New Delhi and Male.
According to statistics disseminated by the Ministry of Tourism in the Maldives, there has been a conspicuous decline in the count of Indian visitors traversing to the island archipelago.
The data indicates that upwards of 200,000 Indians partook in Maldives' tourism annually over the past three years, following the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing the highest influx from any single country. However, this thriving tourism sector for Indians is now encountering a ripple effect consequent to disparaging remarks made by three members of the Maldives cabinet against Prime Minister Narendra Modi subsequent to his visit to Lakshadweep earlier this month.
As per official records, until January 28 of the ongoing year, Maldives witnessed over 1.74 lakh tourists, of which a mere 13,989 hailed from India. Surpassing Indian visitors, Russia secured the topmost position with 18,561 tourists, trailed closely by Italy, China, and the UK.
Notably, Germany secured the sixth position, followed by the USA, France, Poland, and Switzerland. In the preceding year of 2023, the island nation greeted over 1.7 million tourists, with the largest contingent being Indians, closely trailed by Russians and Chinese.
The influx of Indian tourists to the Maldives surpassed 240,000 in 2022 and exceeded 211,000 in 2021. Noteworthy is the fact that the Maldives remained among the select few nations that welcomed international tourists during the pandemic, attracting nearly 63,000 Indian visitors during that period.
In 2018, India ranked as the fifth-largest source of tourist arrivals in the Maldives with a tally of 90,474 visitors. This figure catapulted to over 166,000 Indians visiting the Maldives in 2019.
Many users on social media platforms have vocally declared their decision to cancel their scheduled trips to the Maldives due to the ongoing discord, with the hashtag "Boycott Maldives" gaining traction for several days this month.
In solidarity with India, EaseMyTrip, an online travel aggregator, announced the suspension of all flight bookings to the Maldives on its platform.
Meanwhile, the Maldivian government took action against three of its deputy ministers, suspending them from their positions after their critical remarks targeting Modi following his post on X subsequent to his Lakshadweep visit, insinuating it as an endeavor to promote the Union Territory as an alternative tourist destination to the Maldives.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Maldives emphasized that the government acknowledges the "derogatory remarks" made on social media platforms against foreign leaders and clarified that these personal views do not align with the country's official stance.
Nestled amidst the expanse of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives comprises nearly 1,200 petite coral islands extending across a length of 871 kilometers. From tailored spa indulgences to exhilarating adventure sports and a spectrum of culinary delights, the Maldives offers a plethora of experiences, rendering it an enticing choice for visitors.
The allure of its picturesque beaches and the quintessential island experience, coupled with economical airfare, often more affordable than travel expenses to certain Indian cities, has traditionally been a significant magnet for Indian tourists.
