1. Declining Indian tourist arrivals due to strained India-Maldives diplomatic ties.
2. Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) plans Indian city roadshows.
3. Revive tourism from India; proactive measures to counter declining numbers.
New Delhi, April 12: The strained diplomatic ties between India and the Maldives have led to a decline in Indian tourist arrivals, prompting the Maldives to take proactive measures to revive tourism from India.
In response to the dwindling numbers, the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) has announced plans to conduct roadshows across various Indian cities to attract Indian tourists back to the island nation.
The decision comes after a series of derogatory remarks made by Maldivian officials against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January, leading to a boycott campaign and strained relations between the two countries.
MATATO revealed its intentions to collaborate closely with the Indian High Commission in the Maldives to bolster tourism initiatives during a discussion held on April 8.
The comprehensive roadshow campaign aims to promote the Maldives as a premier travel destination and will be accompanied by influencer and media familiarization trips to the Maldives in the coming months.
Also Read: Arunachal Pradesh Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Key Dates, Phases, and Candidates Demystified
Recognizing the significance of the Indian market for Maldivian tourism, MATATO emphasized the importance of partnering with prominent travel associations and industry stakeholders in India to enhance tourism cooperation between the two countries.
Official data from the Maldives Ministry of Tourism revealed a notable drop in Indian tourist arrivals following the diplomatic row.
While Indians constituted the majority of tourists in 2023, their numbers declined significantly in the weeks following the tensions, slipping to fifth position among visitor demographics.
Despite the strained relations, both countries are working towards strengthening ties, albeit amidst challenges, especially with the recent change in leadership in the Maldives, which has tilted towards China, causing concerns in India.
