Maldives National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI) has called to stop the campaign to boycott Maldives tourism.
Heated exchanges have been taking place on X between some top officials of the Maldivian government and Indian citizens and troll accounts. The spat was kicked off by a video posted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promote tourism in Lakshadweep.
According to Indian newspapers and social media accounts, Indian tourists have been canceling hotel bookings after the campaign backed by Bollywood stars called for visiting Lakshadweep instead of the Maldives.
The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has also called for Indian airlines to suspend flights and tour operators to stop selling packages in order to boycott the Maldives.
In a statement issued today, MNCCI condemned the boycott campaign and called for constructive dialogue.
"We encourage a unified approach in finding resolutions through meaningful discussions that encompass the diverse perspectives of our citizens and stakeholders," the statement read.
India was the top source market for tourists to the Maldives in 2021, 2022 and 2023 with more than 200,000 visitors every year.
