Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) and Maldives Association for Tourism Industry (MATI) have invited the Indian national cricket team to celebrate their T20 World Cup victory in Maldives.
In a statement issued today, MMPRC said the Indian national cricket team has been officially invited to celebrate their victory in Maldives. It added that the invitation promised an "unforgettable, comfortable and relaxing" holiday in the Maldives.
The statement noted that MMPRC Managing Director Ibrahim Shiury and MATI Secretary General Ahmed Nazeer has congratulated the Indian national cricket team.
It appears that the invitation is an effort to recover the Indian market at a time when Indian tourist arrivals have declined. The statement read that the invitation highlights the long-standing close relationship between Maldives and India.
India was the biggest source market for Maldives tourism last year. However, India currently ranks sixth with the number of Indian tourists falling by nearly 40,000 in the first six months of this year compared to the same period last year.
Tourist arrivals from India declined after relations with the country deteriorated when President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu assumed office. There was a social media campaign to boycott Maldives after three deputy ministers insulted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
