Skift Take
The Maldivian tourism minister’s plea to Indian visitors highlights the critical role tourism plays in the country’s economic framework. It also speaks volumes about India’s outbound tourism potential.
— Peden Doma Bhutia
It’s been four months since the #BoycottMaldives trend started in India, and Maldives wants those tourists back.
“As the tourism minister, I want to ask Indians to please be a part of Maldives’ tourism,” said Maldivian Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal to PTI Videos. “Our economy depends on tourism. Our people and the government will extend a warm welcome to Indian travelers.”
The tensions began when three Maldivian politicians made disparaging remarks about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Indian arrivals have plummeted more than 40% since then — to roughly 44,000 so far this year.
