In an effort to attract Indian tourists back to the Maldives, a prominent tourism organization in Male has revealed plans to organize road shows across major Indian cities. The Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) held discussions with India's High Commissioner, Munu Mahawar, to discuss ways to strengthen travel and tourism cooperation between the two countries.
The decline in the number of Indian tourists visiting the Maldives prompted MATATO to take action. This decline was largely attributed to derogatory remarks made against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi by three Maldivian officials on social media. Following these remarks, many Indians, including celebrities, canceled their reservations and travel plans to the Maldives. Consequently, India's position as a top visitor country to the Maldives dropped to sixth place.
According to statistics from the Maldives' Ministry of Tourism, China remained the top source of tourists, followed by the United Kingdom, Russia, Italy, Germany, and India. In response to the situation, MATATO expressed its commitment to collaborate closely with the Indian High Commission in the Maldives to boost tourism initiatives. Plans are underway to conduct road shows in key Indian cities and organize influencer and media familiarization trips to the Maldives in the coming months.
While acknowledging India's importance as a tourist market, MATATO expressed its desire to partner with leading travel associations and industry stakeholders in India to promote the Maldives as a premier travel destination. The association views its meeting with the Indian High Commissioner as a sign of its commitment to strengthening tourism ties between the Maldives and India, which it believes will lead to transformative collaborations for sustainable growth in the region's tourism sector.
Before the diplomatic row, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu had requested India to withdraw its 88 military personnel from the country, citing concerns about sovereignty. President Muizzu, who is known for his pro-China stance, announced that Indian military personnel, even in civilian attire, would not be allowed in the Maldives after the repatriation of all 88 personnel by May 10.
