Maldives plans roadshows in major Indian cities to woo tourists back
The Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators, a major tourism body in Maldives, has already held discussions with India's High Commissioner in Male, on enhancing travel and tourism cooperation between the two countries in the wake of a strain in ties
A major tourism body in Maldives has decided to hold roadshows across select Indian cities to woo back tourists in the wake of a drastic fall in tourist footfall, especially from India, over the row on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
As the number of Indian tourists to the Maldives continues to decline, the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) held discussions with India's High Commissioner in Male, Munu Mahawar, on enhancing travel and tourism cooperation between the two countries.
A full-blown backlash was directed at the Maldives following derogatory remarks against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media by three Maldivian officials after Modi posted photos and video of the pristine Lakshadweep Islands on India’s west coast on January 6 on his X handle.
Scores of Indians, including multiple celebrities, cancelled their reservations and dropped plans to visit Maldives. The tourism arrival statistics reflected how from being a top visitor country, India’s position went down to first fifth and now at the sixth position after January.
According to the statistics by the Maldives’ Ministry of Tourism, this year as of April 10, of the total 6,63,269 tourists arriving, China continued to lead with 71,995, followed by the United Kingdom (66,999), Russia (66,803), Italy (61,379), Germany (52,256) and India (37,417).
After discussions took place at a meeting held at the Indian High Commission in Male, MATATO said in a statement that they expressed their intention to collaborate closely with the Indian High Commission in Maldives to bolster tourism initiatives, Sun.mv news portal reported.
Influencer and media familiarisation trips
“In this trajectory, plans are currently underway to launch comprehensive road shows across key Indian cities and to facilitate influencer and media familiarisation trips to the Maldives in the upcoming months,” it said quoting from the statement.
“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.
The association also attributed its meeting with the Indian High Commissioner as “a testament to MATATO's continued dedication to fostering robust tourism ties between the Maldives and India,” which it said, will pave the way for “transformative collaborations to drive sustainable growth in the region's tourism sector.”
Earlier before this diplomatic row erupted, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu had, within hours of taking oath last November, asked India to withdraw its 88 military personnel from the country, saying their presence was a threat to his country’s sovereignty.
Muizzu, known for his Chinese leanings, has announced that no Indian military personnel, even in civilian clothes, would be present in Maldives after all of 88 personnel are repatriated by May 10.
(With inputs from agencies)
