The Maldives saw a significant change in tourist arrivals in January, with visitors from neighboring India falling from second place in December 2023 to fifth place this month.
The number of Indian tourists to the Maldives, known for its clear turquoise waters, pristine white sand beaches and lush greenery, fell after three Maldivian ministers made derogatory remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India .
Modi posted beautiful photos during his visit to Lakshadweep in the first week of January, triggering a heated debate among netizens about “Lakshadweep vs Maldives”. Later, ministers who were suspended from President Mohammad Muizul’s cabinet jumped on social media. A low-key diplomatic dispute erupted. Media debate.
Indian tourists travel to Maldives
According to the Maldives Ministry of Tourism, a total of 174,400 Indian tourists visited the Maldives in January (as of January 28), including 13,989 Indian tourists, falling to fifth place and accounting for 8% of the archipelago country’s tourism market share.
Russia (18,561 visitors), Italy (18,111 visitors), China (16,529 visitors) and the United Kingdom (14,588 visitors) remain among the top four countries with the most tourists to the Maldives in January 2024.
In December 2023, Russia ranked first with 174,416 Russians arriving in the Maldives, with a market share of 24.1%. India ranked second, receiving 161,751 tourists, accounting for 23.4%.
In 2023, Indian tourists constituted the largest group of tourists, reaching 209,193, followed by Russian tourists (209,146) and Chinese tourists (187,125). In 2021 and 2022, India will continue to maintain its position as the largest market, with the number of Indian tourists exceeding 291,000 and 241,000 respectively.
However, the proportion of Indian tourists visiting the Maldives has been declining, from 241,382 in 2022 to 209,193 in 2023.
Controversy and the “Maldives Boycott”
On January 4, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sparked a social media war between India and the Maldives after he posted a series of photos of himself gazing thoughtfully at the majestic Arabian Sea off the coast of Lakshadweep. It also triggered a low-key diplomatic dispute between the two friendly countries. .
The row was largely sparked by Abdullah Mahzoom Majeed, a senior minister in Muizum’s government, who accused India of targeting the Maldives. He said India faces major challenges in competing with the Maldives in terms of beach tourism.
Recently, I had the opportunity to be a part of the people of Lakshadweep. I am still in awe of the stunning beauty of its islands and the incredible warmth of its people. I had the opportunity to interact with people in Agatti, Bangalam and Kavarati.I thank the people of pic.twitter.com/tYW5Cvgi8N— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 4, 2024
His tweet comes after Prime Minister Modi posted his Lakshadweep post, which went viral and prompted many social media users to suggest that the union territory could become an alternative tourist destination to the Maldives.
Mariyam Shiuna, deputy minister of the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts, and Malsha Sharif, another deputy minister in the same ministry, also joined Majeed’s fray.
While the Maldives government distanced itself from “derogatory remarks against foreign leaders and senior figures on social media platforms,” it also suspended three government officials whose comments on social media platform quarrel.
A social media war has led Indians to cancel their trips to the Maldives en masse. There is also a “boycott Maldives” campaign circulating on social media. Several Indians canceled their reservations.
Indian film stars such as Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar and Shraddha Kapoor, among other celebrities, have also urged fans to “explore Indian islands” and coastal destinations.
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