Following the disparaging remarks made by Maldivian ministers towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a significant portion of Indian travellers have chosen to postpone their Maldives vacations. People who have been active on social media must have seen the trending hashtag, “Boycott Maldives.” The unpleasant remarks gave rise to this movement, which gathered steam when prominent Indians backed the call for people to discover the splendour of India’s islands.
Indian Tourists Cancel Vacation To Maldives
All these images and memes making me super FOMO now 😍
Lakshadweep has such pristine beaches and coastlines, thriving local culture, I’m on the verge of booking an impulse chhutti ❤️
This year, why not #ExploreIndianIslands pic.twitter.com/fTWmZTycpO— Shraddha (@ShraddhaKapoor) January 7, 2024
The Maldives, whose economy is mostly reliant on Indian tourists, saw a spike in cancellations, raising concerns among relevant parties.
The Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) emphasised the significance of preserving good relations between the two countries in response to the developing circumstances.
It’s important to clear up any misunderstandings about this, according to MATATO, which also emphasises that efforts to grow and support the tourism industry on Lakshadweep island have no appreciable detrimental impact on the Maldives tourism sector.
250+ days since we rang in my 50th birthday in Sindhudurg!
The coastal town offered everything we wanted, and more. Gorgeous locations combined with wonderful hospitality left us with a treasure trove of memories.
India is blessed with beautiful coastlines and pristine… pic.twitter.com/DUCM0NmNCz
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 7, 2024
Indian celebrities, such as John Abraham, Sachin Tendulkar, and Akshay Kumar, used social media to promote travel to islands like Sindhudurg and Lakshadweep. Actor Akshay Kumar encouraged Indians to prioritise their own travel and expressed amazement at the unwarranted vitriol from well-known people in the Maldives.
Also Read: Amid &Boycott Maldives; Trend, Sachin Tendulkar Showcases Indias Coastal Majesty
Indian Tourists Make Up The Most Number Of Visitors To This Destination
Came across comments from prominent public figures from Maldives passing hateful and racist comments on Indians. Surprised that they are doing this to a country that sends them the maximum number of tourists.
We are good to our neighbors but
why should we tolerate such… pic.twitter.com/DXRqkQFguN— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) January 7, 2024
In addition to having an effect on travel, the diplomatic spat has made Indians more inclined to travel within their own country, which reflects their desire to uphold their sense of national pride and encourage local travel.
It is so cool to see our Hon PM Narendrabhai Modi at the beautiful clean n stunning beaches of Lakshadweep, and the best part is that yeh hamare India mein hain.
— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) January 7, 2024
The Lakshadweep Islands, according to Tiger Shroff, have won his heart. Shraddha Kapoor and other celebrities included the hashtags “Explore Indian Islands” and “Lakshadweep” in their posts on X.
Lost in the azure embrace, Lakshadweep islands have captured my heart. The rich culture, tranquil beaches, and the genuine warmth of its people create an enchanting allure. Join me in celebrating the inclusivity and unparalleled beauty of these islands – a treasure trove waiting…
— Tiger Shroff (@iTIGERSHROFF) January 7, 2024
Up to December 2023, Indian tourists made up the largest percentage of all visitors to the Maldives, according to data from the nation’s tourism ministry. According to the Maldives’ ministry of tourism, as of December 13, 17,57,939 visitors had made their way to the island nation, which is 12.6% more than the 1.5 million arrivals recorded in 2022. The data was made public in the midst of the #BoycottMaldives movement.
Also Read: Maldives Tourism Min Shows Indians Dominating 2023 Arrival Figures Amid ‘Boycott Maldives’ Trend
What are your views?
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva
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