The strained relationship between New Delhi and Maldives has impacted tourism numbers, resulting in a 38 per cent decrease in Indian tourists visiting the island nation. The conflict escalated following derogatory comments made by Maldivian officials towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sparking a backlash and a boycott campaign that affected tourist inflow.
The Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) has acknowledged the decline in Indian tourists and has expressed intentions to collaborate with the Indian High Commission in the Maldives to boost tourism. Plans are underway to launch promotional initiatives, including a roadshow in key cities in India and facilitating influencer and media trips to the Maldives in the coming months to attract more Indian visitors.
Despite the current decline, India has historically been a significant market for Maldivian tourism, with over 2 lakh Indian visitors annually in the past few years. In 2023, over 17 lakh tourists visited Maldives, with Indians comprising the highest number followed by Russians and Chinese. The Maldives' tour association emphasized the importance of the Indian market and aims to partner with travel associations and stakeholders in India to promote the island nation as a premier travel destination.