Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal has said the tourism ministry and the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) will jointly launch a strong marketing campaign to promote Maldives tourism.
A social media campaign against Maldives tourism, joined by Bollywood stars, is underway following a video posted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promote tourism in Lakshadweep.
Heated exchanges have taken place on X between some top officials of the Maldivian government and Indian citizens and troll accounts while three deputy ministers have now been suspended over derogatory remarks against Modi.
Speaking to Adhadhu outside the President's Office after today's cabinet meeting, Faisal said the government's stand on the issue has now been made public by the Foreign Ministry.
“We will do very strong destination marketing promotional work through the MMPRC. We will handle this as positively as possible,” he said.
Faisal said the government would proceed by listening to the concerns of the tourism industry with a priority on marketing.
“President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's foreign policy is to maintain very close relations with all countries,” Faisal stated.
Meanwhile, Maldives tourism industry stakeholders have expressed concern over the pressure they are facing due to the social media posts.
"The Indian market plays an important role in the success of Maldives tourism, especially in supporting guest houses and small and medium businesses. MATATO calls on all stakeholders to embrace the benefits of Maldives friendship and integrated economy with India," the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) said in a statement.
The largest source market for Maldives tourism in the past three years was India. From 2021 to 2023, over 200,000 Indians visited the Maldives annually.
