Indian Tourist Count Dips in Maldives Since PM Modi’s Lakshadweep Visit & Row, Travel Agents Fret | Exclusive

The Indian tourist count has dipped in Maldives since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep and the controversy created by Maldivian ministers, official figures show.

In 2023, 209,198 Indians toured the Maldives, averaging almost 572 visitors daily. India topped the chart in 2023 in Maldives tourist numbers with 11.1 per cent market share as well as in 2022, as maximum tourists to Maldives were Indian.

But, following the controversy started by Maldivian ministers post PM Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep, the daily average of Indian visitors has dropped to around 400 this year.

As on January 8, only 3,334 Indian tourists have visited Maldives in 2024 so far, official figures from Maldives show. India has slipped to Number 4 in 2024 with 7.4 per cent share in Maldives tourist numbers in 2024. Russia, Italy and the UK are ahead of India now.

The decline in Indian tourists visiting the Maldives has become a growing concern for tour operators. Travel agents in the Maldives, while speaking to News18, expressed apprehension about the future impact of India’s apparent boycott.

They emphasised that those currently arriving had booked months in advance, and were perhaps reluctant to forfeit the full amount, including airfare.

The country was expecting to set a record in 2024 by adding more visitors this year, but due to the controversy, India is already slipping from the chart.

Travel agents in Maldives said that there is not any major impact as of now, but they are yet to see the future impact of new bookings.

“As per my knowledge, mass Indian cancellations are not true. Even according to airlines. We have thousands of Indians working in tourism and they are very much a part of our community. But we are yet to see the future impact on new bookings,” Ahmeem Razzaq told News18 through a message.

Another travel agent, Mohamed Ashfaq, said they are currently getting an inflow of Indians who had booked tickets earlier and didn’t want to cancel the trip, fearing a loss of money. However, they are worried about future bookings till April, which remains peak season.