To attract Bharatiya tourists back to the Maldives, the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) has announced plans to hold road shows across major Bharatiya cities. This decision comes as the number of Bharatiya tourists visiting the Maldives has been declining.
The initiative follows discussions between MATATO and Bharat’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, Munu Mahawar, aimed at enhancing cooperation in travel and tourism between the two countries. The decline in Bharatiya tourist numbers was exacerbated by derogatory remarks made by three Maldivian officials about Bharat and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media.
These remarks prompted a backlash, leading to numerous cancellations of reservations and a drop in plans to visit the Maldives by Indians, including celebrities. Consequently, India’s ranking as a top visitor country to the Maldives plummeted, falling from first to fifth and now to sixth position.
According to statistics from the Maldives’ Ministry of Tourism, as of April 10, 663,269 tourists had arrived in the Maldives this year. China remained the top visitor country, followed by the United Kingdom, Russia, Italy, Germany, and India.
MATATO expressed its intention to collaborate closely with the Indian High Commission in the Maldives to strengthen tourism initiatives. The association plans to launch comprehensive road shows across key Indian cities and facilitate influencer and media familiarization trips to the Maldives in the coming months.
Recognizing Bharat as a crucial tourist market, MATATO looks forward to partnering with prominent travel associations and industry stakeholders in India to promote the Maldives as a premier travel destination. The meeting between MATATO and the Bharatiya High Commissioner signifies the association’s dedication to fostering robust tourism ties between the Maldives and Bharat.
Meanwhile, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, has announced plans to withdraw Bharatiya military personnel from the country. He asserted that their presence posed a threat to Maldives’ sovereignty. All 88 Bharatiya military personnel are expected to be repatriated by May 10, signaling a shift in diplomatic relations between the two countries.
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