Hotels (Commonwealth Union) _ Travel agency EaseMyTrip has taken a bold stance by suspending all flight and hotel bookings for the Maldives.
Nishant Pitti, the CEO and co-founder, made this announcement on X (formerly Twitter), citing the derogatory remarks made by Maldivian ministers against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the reason behind the decision.
“In solidarity with our nation, @EaseMyTrip has suspended all Maldives flight bookings,” Pitti declared in a post, showcasing the company’s commitment to standing with India in the face of disrespectful comments.
To further promote national pride and alternative travel options, EaseMyTrip has initiated the #ChaloLakshadweep campaign. Pitti, in another post, expressed the beauty of Lakshadweep’s water and beaches, emphasizing that they are on par with destinations like the Maldives and Seychelles. He also hinted at forthcoming special offers to encourage travelers to explore this pristine destination that Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited.
As tensions escalate between India and the Maldives, the hashtag #BoycottMaldives gains momentum on various social media platforms in India. Several Indian tourists reportedly canceled their planned vacations to the Maldives in response to the offensive remarks by Maldivian ministers.
Rajiv Mehra, president of the Indian Association of Tour Operators, anticipates a visible impact within the next 20-25 days, stating, “Suddenly, there has been no inquiry on Maldives. There are sudden drops. Those who have made payments will not cancel them. We are expecting that people will not book trips to the Maldives.”
India has been a significant source of tourism for the Maldives, with data from the country’s tourism ministry revealing that, until December 2023, Indians constituted the highest number of visitors to the Maldives (2,09,198), followed by Russia (2,09,146), and China (1,87,118).
Image Credit:Opindia
Despite the Maldives’ popularity among Indian tourists, the recent diplomatic incident is expected to have a lasting impact. A Delhi-based tour operator, speaking anonymously, noted the immediate repercussions and foresees a decline in people choosing the Maldives as their preferred tourist destination.
In response to their offensive remarks against PM Modi, Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef, and Mahzoom Majid have faced suspension, triggering a massive backlash and further affecting the diplomatic and tourism landscape.
Link: https://www.easemytrip.com/holidays/maldives-tours-packages/
