“Please be a part of the Maldives’ tourism. Our economy depends on tourism,” Maldivian tourism minister Ibrahim Faisal recently appealed to Indian tourists amid a significant decline in tourist arrivals from India since the diplomatic row between the two countries erupted in January.
Indian tourists to the Maldives dipped by 42% in the first four months of this year in comparison to the same period in 2023.
Tourism Minister Faisal’s remark during an interview was the latest in a string of attempts by the Maldives to woo Indian tourists back after Maldivian Tourism Ministry statistics that showed how India, from being a top visitor country, slipped to sixth position.
At the same time, there has been a steep increase in the number of Chinese tourists.
Four months ago, the scenario was quite different. Indian tourists were the highest foreign visitors to the Maldives in 2023 and China was in third spot.
MALDIVES SEES 42% DECLINE IN INDIAN TOURISTS
Data reveals that the number of…