India-Maldives Row: Bookings Suspended, Boycott Calls, #ChaloLakshadweep Campaign And All That's Happening
The Indian Association of Tour Operators predicted that the call for a boycott would become apparent within the next 20-25 days. Many Indians on social media have claimed that they have cancelled their planned holidays to the island nation.
The co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of EaseMyTrip, Nishant Pitti, has announced the suspension of all Maldives flight bookings following the derogatory remarks made by Maldives ministers against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. EaseMyTrip is a online travel solutions provider.
Suspends all flight bookings
Standing in support of India, Nishant Pitti took to social media X, stating, "In solidarity with our nation, @EaseMyTrip has suspended all Maldives flight bookings."
In solidarity with our nation, @EaseMyTrip has suspended all Maldives flight bookings ?? #TravelUpdate #SupportingNation #LakshadweepTourism #ExploreIndianlslands #Lakshadweep#ExploreIndianIslands @kishanreddybjp @JM_Scindia @PMOIndia @tourismgoi @narendramodi @incredibleindia https://t.co/wIyWGzyAZY
¡ª Nishant Pitti (@nishantpitti) January 7, 2024
Meanwhile, the service provider has initiated #ChaloLakshadweep campaign. In his post on X, he said, "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!
#ChaloLakshadweep
¡ª Prashant Pitti (@ppitti) January 4, 2024
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! pic.twitter.com/T2ZTd52TOt
Call for boycott amid row
Earlier, the Indian Association of Tour Operators predicted that the call for a boycott would become apparent within the next 20-25 days. Many Indians on social media have claimed that they have cancelled their planned holidays to the island nation.
"Suddenly, there has been no inquiry on Maldives. There are sudden drops. Those who have made payments will not cancel them. We are expecting that people will not book trips to the Maldives," Rajiv Mehra, president of the Indian Association of Tour Operators, said.
Another operator echoed a similar sentiment, stating that such statements by politicians prevent people from choosing a particular nation for a trip.
However, operators deny reports of mass cancellations, stating, "If a person has paid an advance for plane tickets and hotels, they will not cancel it." Many Indians on social media have claimed that they have cancelled their planned holidays to the island nation.
The founder of Make My Trip, Deep Kalra, said that there has been no mass cancellation of planned holidays by Indians to the island nation. "We have not noticed such a pattern as of now. There has been no such mass cancellation," Kalra said.
Unsplash
Indian summons Maldives envoy
India has summoned the Maldives envoy after three ministers of the island nation made derogatory remarks against India This comes as the Maldives government on Sunday suspended three ministers Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef, and Mahzoom Majid over their derogatory remarks against India.
Maldives ministers slam remarks against India
Meanwhile, former Deputy Speaker of Maldives and sitting MP Eva Abdulla, apologised for the minister's remark, calling it wrong. Such statements should not be made, she asserted.
Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer said that these remarks against foreign leaders are "unacceptable" and do not reflect the official position of the Maldives government.
He stated that the Maldives remains committed to fostering a "positive and constructive dialogue" with all its partners, particularly its neighbours.
Controversy and how it began
Maldivian minister triggered a controversy by making disparaging remarks about India and ridiculing PM Modi's visit to Lakshadweep, portraying it as a tourist destination for Indians.
Zahid Rameez, who is a member of the Progressive Party of Maldives Senate,mocked the beaches of Lakshadweep Island and questioned whether the services provided by the Union Territory of India can match those offered by the Maldives.
The move is great. However, the idea of competing with us is delusional. How can they provide the service we offer? How can they be so clean? The permanent smell in the rooms will be the biggest downfall. ???¡á? https://t.co/AzWMkcxdcf
¡ª Zahid Rameez (@xahidcreator) January 5, 2024
Reflecting his prejudiced mindset toward Indians, he wrote, ¡°The move is great. However, the idea of competing with us is delusional. How can they provide the service we offer? How can they be so clean? The permanent smell in the rooms will be the biggest downfall."
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