Male, In an obvious bid to woo Indian vacationers again to the Maldives, a significant tourism physique right here has introduced that it’s going to maintain highway exhibits throughout key Indian cities.

As the variety of Indian vacationers to the Maldives continues to say no, the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators held discussions with India’s High Commissioner right here, Munu Mahawar, on enhancing journey and tourism cooperation between the 2 international locations.

A full-blown backlash was directed on the Maldives following derogatory remarks towards India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media by three Maldivian officers after Modi posted pictures and video of the pristine Lakshadweep Islands on India’s west coast on January 6 on his X deal with.

Scores of Indians, together with a number of celebrities, cancelled their reservations and dropped plans to go to Maldives. The tourism arrival statistics mirrored how from being a prime customer nation, India’s place went all the way down to first fifth and now on the sixth place after January.

According to the statistics by the Maldives’ Ministry of Tourism, this yr as of April 10, of the full 6,63,269 vacationers arriving, China continued to steer with 71,995, adopted by the United Kingdom , Russia , Italy , Germany and India .

After discussions occurred at a gathering held on the Indian High Commission in Male, MATATO mentioned in a press release that they expressed their intention to collaborate intently with the Indian High Commission in Maldives to bolster tourism initiatives, Sun.mv information portal reported.

“In this trajectory, plans are currently underway to launch comprehensive road shows across key Indian cities and to facilitate influencer and media familiarisation trips to the Maldives in the upcoming months,” it mentioned quoting from the assertion.

“While India remains a crucial tourist market to the Maldives, MATATO states they look forward to partnering with prominent travel associations and industry stakeholders across India to further promote the Maldives as a premier travel destination,” it mentioned.

The Association additionally attributed its assembly with the Indian High Commissioner as “a testament to MATATO’s continued dedication to fostering robust tourism ties between the Maldives and India,” which it mentioned, will pave the best way for “transformative collaborations to drive sustainable growth in the region’s tourism sector.”

Earlier earlier than this diplomatic row erupted, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu had, inside hours of taking oath final November, requested India to withdraw its 88 army personnel from the nation, saying their presence was a menace to his nation’s sovereignty.

Muizzu, recognized for his pro-China leanings, has introduced that no Indian army personnel, even in civilian garments, can be current in Maldives in any case of 88 personnel are repatriated by May 10.