The Maldives has witnessed a significant decline in the number of Indian tourists visiting the picturesque island nation, according to recent data released by the Maldives Tourism Ministry. The drop in Indian tourist arrivals, amounting to 33 percent compared to the previous year, comes amidst escalating diplomatic tensions between New Delhi and Malé.
Statistics from the Maldives Tourism Ministry for 2023 revealed that by March 4 last year, 41,054 Indian tourists had visited the Maldives. However, as of March 2 this year, only 27,224 Indian tourists were recorded, indicating a substantial decrease of 13,830 visitors. This decline has seen India slip from being the second-largest source market for Maldivian tourism to sixth place on the list, with a market share reduced to six percent.
The diplomatic rift between the two countries was sparked by derogatory comments made by three Maldivian deputy ministers regarding Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep. PM Modi’s proposal to develop the Indian island cluster as a beach tourism destination and promote domestic tourism ignited controversy, leading to a flurry of inflammatory remarks.
In response, New Delhi summoned the Maldivian envoy and issued a strong protest against the offensive remarks. Consequently, the three deputy ministers were suspended from their positions, albeit with continued pay, as the fallout from the diplomatic row persisted.
Earlier this year, concerns mounted within the Maldives tourism industry as a boycott campaign gained traction in India, bolstered by support from influential Indian film personalities. The Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) conducted a survey to assess the impact of booking cancellations by Indian guests, though the findings have not been publicly disclosed.
While India has historically been the primary tourist market for the Maldives, with over 200,000 visitors annually from 2021 to 2023, the current scenario sees China taking the lead with more than 54,000 tourist arrivals recorded thus far in the year.
As diplomatic tensions linger between India and the Maldives, the ramifications on tourism underscore the interconnectedness of international relations and the tourism industry, highlighting the need for constructive dialogue and diplomatic resolution to safeguard bilateral interests and promote regional stability.
Sources By Agencies