The Maldives has experienced a notable shift in its tourist demographics over the past three weeks, as data from the island nation’s tourism ministry reveals a significant drop in Indian visitors from the third to the fifth largest group. The statistics, obtained as of January 28 reflect the latest developments in diplomatic relations between India and the Maldives. According to the official Maldivian government data, this is how countries rank in terms of arrivals in the archipelago.
As of December 31 last year, India had held the top position in terms of the number of tourists, with 209,198 arrivals, constituting nearly 11 per cent of the Maldives’ tourism market for that year. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s beach excursion to Lakshadweep on January 2 and a diplomatic fallout with the Maldives triggered a significant decline in Indian tourist numbers.
The controversy gained momentum when a Maldives minister accused India of targeting the nation, asserting that India faces challenges in competing with the Maldives in beach tourism. Diplomatic tensions between the two countries have been escalating, especially since President Mohamed Muizzu assumed office in November last year, signaling a shift in foreign policy towards closer ties with China and a departure from the previous “India first” approach.