India to become top 3 tourism market for Maldives, Faisal says

Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal has announced that relations between India and the Maldives have been on the upswing since President Dr Mohamed Muizzu attended the swearing-in ceremony of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In a phone interview with PSM from New Delhi, Faisal expressed confidence that India would emerge as one of the top three source markets for tourist arrivals in the Maldives by the end of the year.

Earlier this year, tensions between the Maldives and India led to a significant backlash, with calls for a boycott of the Maldives. This campaign involved prominent Bollywood stars, influential politicians, and key figures in the tourism industry.

To counter this and boost tourism, the Tourism Ministry, Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), National Hotels and Guesthouses Association of Maldives (NHGAM) and Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) are jointly organising a roadshow to promote Maldivian tourism in India.

“This initiative will significantly boost tourism,” Faisal stated. “During my visit, I will meet with various Indian dignitaries, including ministers, film stars, and businessmen. The relationship between India and the Maldives is looking very positive, especially following President Dr Muizzu’s recent official visit to India.”

The roadshows are scheduled to take place in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. The first event kicked off in New Delhi on Tuesday, with over 150 Indian tourism industry players expected to participate.

“Last year, India was our number one market with over 200,000 arrivals. This year, we have already recorded 71,000 arrivals from India. Our goal is to have India among the top three source markets by the end of the year,” Faisal added.