Amid ongoing diplomatic tensions, tourist traffic from India to the Maldives has seen a significant decline. According to data released by the Ministry of Tourism of the Maldives, India now ranks fifth in the list of countries of origin for tourists to the island nation.
The data shows that India has been falling since early January. Based on January 1-3 data, India was the third largest market for Maldives with a market share of 7.6 percent. By 17 January, it had fallen to fourth place and on 24 January, India was fifth.
Notably, India was the largest tourism market for Maldives in 2023 with a market share of 11.1 percent. Even in 2022, India topped the list.
This is happening against the background of high diplomatic tension between the two nations.
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Last month, three Deputy Ministers in the Ministry of Youth in Maldives, Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid, made derogatory remarks on a social media platform against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
All three ministers were suspended and the Maldives government distanced itself from the statements.
Later, after a visit to China, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu said: “We may be small, but that doesn’t give you the right to bully us.” He did not mention any specific country.
He also announced plans to reduce the country’s dependence on India, including ensuring imports of essential food commodities, medicines and consumables from other countries.
Notably, China continued to climb the list of top tourism markets for the Maldives this month. On January 3, she was ranked tenth. As of January 24, it had climbed to third place with a market share of 8.5 percent among all tourists.
