EaseMyTrip has suspended all flight bookings to Maldives, in response to Maldives officials’ criticism of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his Lakshadweep visit. Indian tourists are expected to boycott the island nation within 20–25 days, according to the Indian Association of Tour Operators. India sends the most tourists to the Maldives.
Following the online boycott Maldives campaign, EaseMyTrip has halted all flight bookings to the island nation. This move follows harsh comments by now-suspended politicians about India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his Lakshadweep tour.
Nishant Pitti, co-founder and CEO of the Indian online travel company, tweeted, “In solidarity with our nation, @EaseMyTrip has suspended all Maldives flight bookings.” Travel company EaseMyTrip launched #ChaloLakshadweep campaign.
He wrote on X, “Lakshadweep water & beaches are as good as Maldives/Seychelles.” @EaseMyTrip will provide outrageous deals to showcase this immaculate destination our PM @narendramodi recently visited! (sic).
Indian visitors cancelled their visits to the Maldives as the #BoycottMaldives hashtag gained popularity amid an ongoing spat between India and the island nation. Maldivian lawmakers attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep, portraying it as an Indian-only tourist destination.
In 20–25 days, the Indian Association of Tour Operators expected boycott sentiment. Several people on social media have said they canceled their Maldives holidays. Maldives is suddenly uninvestigated. Drops occur suddenly. Those who paid won’t cancel. We foresee fewer Maldives excursions, said Rajiv Mehra, head of the Indian Association of Tour Operators.
Another operator noted that politicians’ words can deter travelers from choosing a country. The Maldives is a famous Indian vacation destination. Up until December 2023, Indian tourists made up the majority of Maldives visitors, totaling 2,09,198. Then came Russians (2,09,146) and Chinese (1,87,118).
Maldives is popular with Indians. This occurrence will matter. Already, we’re seeing an impact. A Delhi-based tour company claimed on condition of anonymity that Maldives tourism will decline.
Maldives deputy cabinet ministers Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef, and Mahzoom Majid were suspended for criticizing PM Modi, which caused a huge response. Shiuna insulted PM Modi on X. The removed Shiuna post showed PM Modi from his Lakshadweep visit. The Maldives suspended three ministers for their comments.
Actors launched a “visit Lakshadweep” campaign with the hashtag #ExploreIndianIslands as tensions between India and the Maldives rose after PM Modi was criticized.
Conclusion
EaseMyTrip, an Indian online travel business, has suspended all Maldives airline bookings after certain Maldives officials criticized India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his Lakshadweep visit. The Indian Association of Tour Operators expects many Indian tourists to cancel their island vacations within 20-25 days due to boycott sentiment. India sends the most tourists to the Maldives. Maldives deputy cabinet ministers Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef, and Mahzoom Majid were suspended for criticizing PM Modi, sparking a reaction. As tensions between India and the Maldives rose, Indian cinema stars launched a “visit Lakshadweep” campaign using #ExploreIndianIslands.
