In a recent report, it has been observed that Maldives is losing Indian visitors while Lakshadweep is gaining popularity. Since Mohamed Muizzu’s government took office in the Maldives last year, diplomatic tensions with India have escalated, prompting calls on social media for a boycott of the Maldives.
This shift in sentiment, coupled with Prime Minister Modi’s promotion of Lakshadweep, has significantly impacted Indian tourism to the Maldives. As diplomatic relations stabilize, the Maldives has seen a sharp decline in Indian visitors, while Lakshadweep’s popularity has surged.
What does the number suggest?
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In the April to June quarter, a peak travel period for Indians, Agatti Airport in Lakshadweep handled 22,990 passengers, a substantial increase from 11,074 in the same period last year. This surge is attributed to a boost in flight services and seat availability. The number of flights to Agatti increased by 88%, with a total of 786 movements compared to 418 in the previous year. Alliance Air, IndiGo, and Fly91 now provide more frequent services from major Indian cities, significantly expanding the number of seats available to Lakshadweep.
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In contrast, data from the Maldives Ministry of Tourism reveals a drastic drop in Indian tourists. Between April and June this year, only 28,604 Indian tourists visited the Maldives, down from 54,207 during the same period last year—a nearly 50% decrease. Meanwhile, Chinese tourists have surged, with China becoming the top source of visitors with 1.2 lakh arrivals in the first half of 2024. Indian tourists have fallen to sixth place, with 63,450 arrivals, marking a 42.5% decline. Overall, tourist arrivals in the Maldives increased by 9.2% in the first half of 2024, indicating a mixed impact of the Indian boycott.
Lakshadweep is also attracting cruise tourists, adding to its growing appeal. The increase in flights and cruises reflects a broader trend of Indian travelers exploring new destinations. With direct flights expanding to places like Bali, Jakarta, Baku, and Tbilisi, and visa-free or visa-on-arrival options becoming more accessible, Indian travelers have more choices than ever.
The Maldives, once a favored destination for Indian tourists, now faces stiff competition from alternatives such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, which offer similar beach experiences and greater travel flexibility. The decline in Indian visitors to the Maldives highlights the impact of political and social factors on travel trends. Whether the Maldives will regain its former popularity among Indian tourists remains uncertain, as it continues to attract visitors from other regions.
