Amid Boycott By Indians, Maldives Calls On China To Send More Tourists
Facing a mass boycott by Indians over derogatory comments about the country and Prime Minister Narendra Modi by some Maldivian ministers, the archipelago's President has called on China to send more tourists.
Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on Tuesday appealed to China, which he termed the nation's closest ally, to "intensify" efforts to send more tourists there.
What Maldivian President said?
"China was our (Maldives') number one market pre-COVID, and it is my request that we intensify efforts for China to regain this position," Muizzu, who is on a five-day state visit to China, said.
"The Government has plans to diversify the tourism product and offer new experiences. Initiatives include a top-tier school of hospitality and exploring sports, medical and cultural tourism. China was our number one market pre-COVID, and it is my request that we intensify efforts for China to regain this position," Muizzu said while addressing the Maldives Business Forum in Fujian Province.
Why Maldivian need Chinese tourists
The development comes at a time when Maldives, whose economy is heavily dependent on international tourists, is facing an unprecedented crisis following the boycott call by Indians.
Data by the Maldives Tourism Ministry stated that the highest number of visitors to the Maldives were from India, with 2,09,198 arrivals, followed by Russia in second place with 2,09,146 arrivals, and China in third place with 1,87,118 arrivals.
Even in 2022, India remained the top Maldives tourism market, with as many as 2,40,000 arrivals. Russia followed closely in second place with 198,000 tourists, and Britain ranked third with over 1,77,000 arrivals. Before COVID, China held the top spot with around 2.80 lakh tourists.
How Maldives angered Indians
However, things turned ugly last week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted a series of photos from his recent visit to Lakshadweep.
Facing the prospect of at least some Indians who would have visited the Maldives otherwise choosing Lakshadweep, which also has equally scenic beaches, a few politicians from the country, including the minister, went on a racist and derogatory tirade on social media, targetting Indians.
This led to a massive uproar on social media by Indians, with many, including celebrities, cancelling their plans to visit the Maldives and endorsing Lakshadweep instead.
In an apparent step to reduce the escalation, the Maldives government suspended three deputy ministers in the youth ministry, Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid, after India strongly raised the issue with Male.
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