India-Maldives row: Massive discounts on island nation tour packages DROP | See details here

Indian travel agencies have reported seeing a sharp decline in inquiries about the Maldives and have also seen a sharp decline in the cost of Maldives vacation packages due to a decline in demand. The controversy that started when three Maldivian ministers made “derogatory” remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his visit to Lakshadweep is now endangering the Maldives’ tourism industry.

Following the escalation of the dispute between India and the Maldives, MakeMyTrip recorded a staggering 3,400% increase in Lakshadweep inquiries on its website. However, according to multiple media reports citing travel agents, Indian tour operators have experienced a 40% decrease in Maldives bookings.

Despite several long weekends in January, tour operators have reportedly noticed a noticeable decline in inquiries and a significant drop in prices for Maldives holiday packages, according to a Times of India report. The ToI report used Hyderabad as an example. Previously, a three-day package from the capital city of Telangana to the Maldives would have cost between ₹55,000 and ₹70,000. Today, it only costs ₹45,000.

According to the ToI report, the average cost of a one-way ticket from this location to Male used to be ₹20,000, but it is currently between ₹12,000 and ₹15,000.

Based on data analyzed by The Indian Express from the Maldives’ tourism ministry, Indian citizens made up 11.2 percent of the 18.42 lakh tourist arrivals in the island nation in 2023. Russia came in second with an 11.1 percent share.

According to travel agents, there haven’t been any cancellations yet, even though Indian inquiries about the Maldives are declining.

Additionally, EaseMyTrip, an Indian online travel agency, declared that it was stopping flights from India to the Maldives.

Between India and the Maldives, there are nearly 60 weekly flights, of which about 50 are operated by Indian carriers. Currently, flights between India and the Maldives are operated by IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, and Air India Express.

Nevertheless, in spite of the dispute between India and the Maldives, no Indian airline has canceled any flights. 

Indians became the region’s top travelers in 2023, surpassing Chinese tourists, and by 2030, they will be the fourth largest travel spenders worldwide. A CNBC report states that $380 million in tourism from India reached the Maldives last year; if the #BoycottMaldives movement gains traction, this will result in significant losses.