TBM Staff - Mumbai In a bid to strengthen tourism ties, Maldives’ Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal is visiting India this week, aiming to attract more Indian tourists to the island nation. This visit comes despite recent diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Faisal, accompanied by officials from the Maldivian Tourism Board and the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), met with Indian Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat for discussions on enhancing tourism cooperation.
During the meeting, both sides expressed a desire to explore new avenues in tourism, including education, film, and sports tourism. Faisal highlighted the importance of maintaining strong relationships with neighboring countries, noting that India has been a key ally for the Maldives. The two ministers discussed the potential for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise these cooperative efforts.
One key focus is promoting film tourism, with the Maldives hoping to attract Indian filmmakers and Bollywood celebrities to the archipelago for their shoots. This initiative is part of the broader “Welcome India” campaign, designed to re-establish the Maldives as a top destination for Indian travelers.
The Maldivian tourism sector, which heavily relies on visitors, particularly from India, saw a decline in Indian tourist numbers following a diplomatic incident earlier this year. The controversy arose after Maldivian officials made remarks about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep, leading to a backlash on social media and calls for a boycott of the Maldives.
Despite the drop in Indian tourists, who were the largest group visiting the Maldives in 2023, Faisal’s visit aims to rebuild the relationship and boost tourism numbers. He is also set to hold tourism roadshows in Mumbai and Bengaluru as part of the promotional efforts.
