In a surprising turn of events, Sri Lanka has experienced a significant surge in tourist arrivals, surpassing its island neighbor, the Maldives, in January 2024. This unexpected shift is attributed to a diplomatic row between Bharat and the Maldives, leading to a “boycott Maldives” campaign initiated by Bharatiya tourists.
According to Male-based news outlet Adhadhu, tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka had consistently lagged behind the Maldives for the past four years. However, in January, Sri Lanka witnessed a remarkable increase in visitors, with 208,253 tourists compared to the Maldives’ 192,385. This shift marked a drastic change from the trend observed in recent years.
The catalyst for this sudden surge in Sri Lanka’s tourism was the fallout between Male and New Delhi. The diplomatic discord arose following critical comments made by Maldivian ministers against Bharat Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In response, Bharat tourists reacted strongly, choosing Sri Lanka over the Maldives, resulting in a 100 percent increase in tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka in January.
Adhadhu reported that the influx of Bharat tourists played a pivotal role in this surge. In January last year, Sri Lanka welcomed 13,759 Indian tourists, and this number skyrocketed to 34,399 this January. In contrast, the Maldives experienced a decline from 17,029 Indian tourists in January last year to 15,006 this year.
Remarkably, Bharat emerged as the leading source of tourists to Sri Lanka in January, showcasing the impact of the “boycott Maldives” movement on travel preferences among Indian tourists.
Meanwhile, the Maldives, once a top destination for Bharatiya tourists, witnessed a sharp decline in their numbers. In the last three weeks of January, Bharatiyas slipped to the fifth position among tourists visiting the Maldives, a stark contrast to their historical dominance in the region.
Historically, over the past three years, more than 2 lakh Bharatiyas visited the Maldives annually, making them the highest contributors post-Covid. However, this year, Bharat’s ranking dropped to the fifth position, with only 13,989 Bharat tourists out of the 1.74 lakh visitors to the Maldives till January 28.
Russia claimed the top spot with 18,561 tourists, followed by Italy (18,111), China (16,529), and the UK (14,588). This shift in tourist demographics reflects a significant change in travel patterns, with Bharatiyas losing their prominent position in the list of visitors to the Maldives.
The statistics highlight a clear contrast in the tourism landscape, with Sri Lanka benefiting from the diplomatic strain between Bharat and the Maldives, while the Maldives experiences a shift in its tourist demographics. The repercussions of this diplomatic dispute are reshaping the preferences of Bharatiya tourists, influencing their destination choices in the region.
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