Mohammed Muizzu: Since the coming of the China-backed Mohammed Muizzu government in Maldives, the country's relations with India have soured. Maldives has boycotted India several times. Since then, its relations with India have deteriorated. This is the reason why Indian tourists now avoid traveling to Maldives. Due to which the tourism industry of Maldives has also suffered a setback.
The number of Indian tourists in Maldives has decreased
According to the data, only 88,202 Indian tourists visited Maldives till 24 September 2023. Whereas this number was 1,46,057 in the same period last year. This decline has affected the tourism industry of Maldives as the number of Indian tourists has decreased by 57,855 this year.
Why did Indian tourists turn away from Maldives?
Some time ago, three deputy ministers of Maldives had posted derogatory posts on social media about PM Modi. After this incident, some social organizations as well as Indians boycotted Maldives. However, later these ministers were suspended. However, the number of Indian tourists in Maldives continued to decline. Apart from this, political changes in Maldives are also considered to be one of the reasons for the decline in the number of Indian tourists in Maldives.
Maldives' relations with China have soured with India as well
The pro-China stance of the new President of Maldives, Mohammad Muizzu, has also strained the relations between Maldives and India. Also, Maldives' good relations with China are also a reason why Indian tourists now visit Maldives less frequently.
All efforts of Muizzu failed
The Muizzu government has made many efforts to revive the tourism industry of Maldives. Under which the government has also started the 'Welcome India' campaign to attract Indian tourists again. The Maldives government wants Indian tourists to come to Maldives again to boost the tourism industry.
Currently, the Maldives has seen an increase in the number of Chinese and Western European tourists compared to India, which has brought some relief to the Maldives Tourism Ministry. The increasing number of these tourists has stabilized the industry there to some extent.