Male:

In an apparent bid to bring back Indian tourists to the Maldives, a major tourism body in Male has announced that it will hold roadshows in key Indian cities.

As the number of Indian tourists to the Maldives continues to decline, the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) held discussions here with the High Commissioner of India, Mono Mahavar, to enhance travel and tourism cooperation between the two countries.

The Maldives received a backlash after three Maldivian officials made derogatory remarks on social media against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi after Modi posted images of the ancient Lakshadweep Islands off India’s west coast on his X handle on January 6. And posted the video.

Several Indians, including several celebrities, canceled their reservations and abandoned plans to visit the Maldives. The tourism arrival statistics reflect how, being a top tourist country, India’s position has moved from first to fifth and now to sixth after January.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Tourism of the Maldives, out of a total of 6,63,269 tourist arrivals till April 10 this year, China topped the list with 71,995, followed by the United Kingdom (66,999), Russia (66,803), Italy. (61,379), Germany (52,256) and India (37,417).

Following the discussions at a meeting held at the Indian High Commission in Male, MATATO said in a statement that they had agreed with the Indian High Commission in the Maldives to strengthen tourism initiatives, Sun.mv news portal reported. He expressed his intention to cooperate closely.

“In this momentum, plans are currently underway to launch comprehensive roadshows in key Indian cities and facilitate influencer and media familiarization visits to the Maldives in the coming months,” he was quoted as saying in the statement.

“While India remains an important tourism market for the Maldives, MATATO says it will partner with prominent travel associations and industry stakeholders across India to further promote the Maldives as a top tourism destination. Looking forward to it.”

The association also attributed its meeting with the Indian High Commissioner as “evidence of MATATO’s continued commitment to promoting strong tourism ties between the Maldives and India”, adding that, “sustainable development in the region will pave the way for transformative cooperation to advance the tourism sector.”

Earlier, before the diplomatic row erupted, Maldivian President Mohamed Muzoo, within hours of being sworn in last November, had asked India to withdraw 88 of its military personnel from the country, saying Their presence is a threat to the sovereignty of their country.

Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, has announced that no Indian military personnel, even in civilian clothes, will be present in the Maldives after the repatriation of all 88 personnel by May 10.

(Other than the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)