Indians getting offended by Maldives and now boycotting to travel there

 

Maldives which is prominent for its alluring beaches and one of the top choices for Indians when they chose any foreign tour packages, is recently entangled in the tourism boycott backed up by the uproar of social media and primary political problems. Denigratory comments made by three maldivian officials regarding Indian prime minister, Nerendra Modi had provoked an important comeback, reminding the Indian tourist to reconsider their traveling plans to Maldives’ islands despite Maldives being a natural choice for Indians owning it its close proximity as well as free visa for Maldives.

 

The controversy flared when Modi shared a picture of himself in Lakshadweep, which is an island chain of an archipelago. This picture got disparaging responses that seem offensive to the Indians. The officials’ remarks labeled modi as a ‘clown’, ‘terrorist’ and a ‘puppet of israel' made Indian citizens and celebrities furious, which eventually led to the tourism boycott of  Maldives from the Indians.

 

Maldives’ government immediately withdrew themselves from this rapidly growing situation from the official’s remarks of Modi's image in Maldives. They suspended the individuals involved and highlighted that their views were personal which did not reflect the official government’s attitudes. Maldives’ government wished to reduce the fallout from the controversy. After all the damage had been done, Indians tend to show their displeasure by canceling their traveling plans to Maldives. 

 

The result of the boycott by the Indians has already been felt across the Maldives’ tourism sector. Many travel agencies report the visible shrinking of the amount of booking to Maldives. Some popular figures in India are promoting Indians to go to their native places instead of going to Maldives. Indians are using hashtags such as #BoycottMaldives and #ExploreIndianIslands to show their support for the boycott which is attracting people on social media and showing a change in their attitudes and choices.

 

The boycott’s economic impact on the Maldives was significant, considering the maldives’ strong dependency on their tourism earnings. Financial difficulties have been faced in the Maldives due to the abrupt decrease in the Indian tourists arrivals. However, Indians made a considerable impact on the maldivian economy, the previous year.

 

Maldives’ president, Mohamad Muizzu, goes for a five day visit to China. Moreover, he is renowned for his pro-stance and he is going forward to shift from his predecessor’s policy of ‘India first’. He went to China  in the middle of the crisis of boycott from India, to make agreements to escalate their trade and development. Which has become extremely crucial for Maldives to balance their relations with both China and India due the comparative government shifting.

 

Maldives must try to get indians’ trust back as there is a noticeable decrease in the income of maldives’ tourism industry. The controversies made by the social media and the political strains on the current tourism boycott, had made Maldives’ tourism industry to a vulnerable position. Maldives is struggling with their derogatory remarks and their  way to recovery may be filled with challenges. However, if maldivians’ will stay determined and make organized and strategic  plans may lead them to gain indians’ trust again in their tourism industry.