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Maldives Tourism Body requests Reopening of Flight Bookings to Maldives


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Amidst escalating tensions between India and the Maldives, sparked by critical comments made by three ministers about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Maldives Association of Tour and Travel Operators (MATATO) has called on India-based travel aggregator EaseMyTrip to resume flight bookings to the Maldives.

Travel agency firm EaseMyTrip has suspended all flight bookings to Maldives on its website, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nishant Pitti announced.

MATATO’s Plea to EaseMyTrip

MATATO, in a statement directed to EaseMyTrip CEO Nishant Pitti, urged the travel aggregator to disregard the “regrettable” comments made by the Maldivian ministers. They emphasized that these comments did not reflect the sentiments of Maldivians in general.

The statement highlighted the vital role of Indian tourists in the Maldivian economy, contributing significantly to the country’s GDP. MATATO stressed the enduring friendship and partnership between the two nations, emphasizing the importance of maintaining positive ties.

Tourism stands as the lifeblood of the Maldives, contributing over two-thirds of the GDP and providing livelihoods to around 44,000 Maldivians. MATATO expressed concerns about the potential adverse impact on tourism and its severe repercussions on the economy.

MATATO’s Call for Unity

MATATO called on all parties to refrain from contributing to divisiveness through hateful comments. They emphasized the need for unity and understanding, urging stakeholders to prioritize the positive relationship between India and the Maldives.

EaseMyTrip Suspends Maldives Bookings

Mr Pitti, the co-founder and CEO, posted “in solidarity with our nation…” message on X, and shared a photo of Mr Modi sitting on a beach in Lakshadweep with the hashtag #ChaloLakshadweep.

Political Developments and International Relations

President Mohamed Muizzu, considered a pro-China leader, appealed to China to intensify efforts to send more tourists to the Maldives during his State visit. The Maldives and China reportedly signed a USD 50 million project to develop an integrated tourism zone in the Indian Ocean island.

India-Maldives Stand-Off: The India-Maldives stand-off began after critical comments about PM Modi by three Maldivian ministers. The Maldives government deemed the remarks “unacceptable,” leading to the suspension of the ministers. The situation has escalated, with political pressure building on President Muizzu and the ruling coalition facing demands for accountability.

Social Media Impact and India’s Response

#BoycottMaldives Trend: A #BoycottMaldives trend emerged on social media, partly fueled by posts from Bollywood celebrities and cricketers. This was in response to PM Modi’s posts promoting Lakshadweep as a tourist destination, seen as a rival to the Maldives.

Measured Indian Response: India’s response has been measured, with New Delhi summoning the Maldives envoy days after the initial row. Prime Minister Modi and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar have not issued statements as of now. The situation remains dynamic, with potential diplomatic implications.

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