Maldives Travel Body Writes To EaseMyTrip, Appeals To Re-Open Flight Bookings

Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) has written a letter to EaseMyTrip CEO Nishant Pitti after it announced the suspension of all flight bookings to the island nation on its website in solidarity with India.

Extending a "sincere apology" for the hurt caused by the derogatory remarks by some of its deputy ministers against the Indian Prime Minister and Indians, the body on Tuesday said that the now-suspended ministers do not reflect the sentiments of Maldivians in general, ANI reported.

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Letter to EaseMyTrip CEO Nishant Pitti

The letter, addressed to Pitti, underlined the importance of Indian tourists - who have topped foreign arrivals to the country post-Covid - to the Maldivian economy.

"In expressing our heartfelt gratitude for the enduring friendship and partnership that defines the relationship between the Maldives and India, we want you to know the bonds connecting our nations transcend politics. We consider our Indian counterparts... as cherished brothers and sisters."

"Tourism stands as the lifeblood of the Maldives, contributing over two-thirds of our GDP and providing livelihoods to approximately 44,000 Maldivians who work in the sector. The potential adverse impact on tourism holds the power to unleash severe repercussions on our economy, affecting the lives and well-being of many," the body added in the letter, according to ANI.

Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators writes to EaseMyTrip CEO Nishant Pitti to re-open flight bookings to Maldives pic.twitter.com/ojCxpPar7b

¡ª ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2024

While referring to the derogatory remarks by the three ministers, MATATO has extended its 'sincere apology'. It wrote, "It is with a heavy heart that MATATO acknowledges the regrettable and derogatory comments made by some Deputy Ministers on social media platforms. These individuals, now suspended from their roles, do not reflect the sentiments of Maldivians in general. MATATO extends its sincere apologies for the hurt caused by these remarks."

According to the Maldives Tourism Ministry, over two lakh Indians visited that country last year, and over 4.5 lakh travelled to the tropical paradise over the past two years. During the pandemic, the Maldives was also one of the few countries open to tourists, and nearly 63,000 Indians visited then.

MATATO also urged all to "refrain from contributing to divisiveness through hateful comments".

EaseMyTrip suspended flight bookings to Maldives

Following the controversial remarks made by three Maldivian ministers against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, EaseMyTrip has decided to stop bookings for the island nation, claiming that 'nationalism' is greater than any 'personal interest'.

Announcing the news via a post on X (formerly Twitter), EaseMyTrip founder Prashant Pitti wrote, "Water & beaches of Lakshadweep are as good as Maldives/Seychelles. We at @EaseMyTrip will come up with crazy special-offers to promote this pristine destination that our PM @narendramodi has recently visited!" The idea was further supported by its Pitti, who confirmed that the travel company has indeed stopped flight bookings to the Maldives.

Yesterday, The Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) also came in support of India and 'strongly condemned' the derogatory remarks made by the ministers on PM Modi's post on Lakshadweep.

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