Maldives Tourism industry in damage control Modi:
Maldives Tourism industry: Soon after the remarks against PM Modi went viral, hundreds of social media users, including celebrities, protested with calls to boycott tourism in Maldives and instead explore domestic destinations.
Facing a backlash following the diplomatic row between India and the Maldives, the island nation’s top tourism body has strongly condemned the derogatory comments made by some Deputy Ministers of the country against India and Prime Minister Modi after he visited Lakshadweep.
“The Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) strongly condemns the derogatory comments made by some Deputy Ministers on social media platforms, directed towards the Prime Minister of India, His Excellency Narendra Modi as well as the people of India,” MATI said in a statement in Male on Monday.
The condemnation comes two days after a full-blown backlash directed at the Maldives following the derogatory remarks against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media by three Deputy Ministers at the Maldives Youth Ministry after he posted photos and video on X after he visited the pristine Lakshadweep Islands on India’s west coast on Saturday.
Maldives-India relations:
Maldives’ new President Mohamed Muizu’s famous “India Out” campaign aimed to reduce Indian influence in the country. This timeline tracks developments after his election
“India has also been a consistent and significant contributor to the Tourism Industry of the Maldives. A contributor that has greatly assisted our recovery efforts during COVID-19, right after we re-opened our borders, since then, India has continued to remain as one of the top markets for the Maldives,” it said.
Calling India “one of the closest neighbours and allies,” the MATI statement said, “India has always been a first responder to various crises throughout our history and we are immensely grateful to the close relationship that the Government as well as people of India have maintained with us.”
According to the Maldives Tourism Ministry statistics, over 17 lakh tourists visited the island nation in 2023, out of which more than 2,09,198 visitors were Indians followed by Russians (2,09,146) and China (1,87,118).
Tourist arrivals in Maldives in 2023
In 2022, approximately 2.4 lakh Indian tourists visited the Maldives, compared to 2.11 lakh tourists in 2021. One of the few nations that allowed foreign visitors during the pandemic was the Maldives, where around 63,000 Indians traveled at that time.
Hundreds of social media users, including celebrities, reacted shortly after the insults made about Mr. Modi went viral by urging people to visit domestic locations instead of the Maldives. Following the diplomatic dispute, a number of social media users and even some travel agencies stated Indians are calling off their planned trip to the Maldives.
“We refrain from actions or speech that may have any negative impact on our good relationship,” the Association said, expressing earnest hope that the tight relationship between the two countries “endures for generations to come.”
The three Deputy Ministers were suspended by the Maldivian government on Sunday. On Monday, the government informed India’s High Commissioner Munu Muhawar that the three’s disparaging remarks did not reflect its views and reiterated the Maldives’ ongoing support for its neighbor.
Following India’s summons of Ibrahim Shaheeb, the Maldivian envoy in New Delhi, to the External Affairs Ministry on Monday, the meeting was held to discuss the negative remarks made by the three Ministers.
Interestingly, despite all the hoopla on social media, the first cruise liner visit of the year took place on Monday when an Indian cruise liner arrived in the Maldives “with a substantial number of tourists,” according to state-run PSM News.
The cruise ship, which sailed from Kochi, Kerala, carried about 2,000 passengers and, according to the Maldives Association of Yacht Agents (MAYA), had stopped in Mumbai and Goa before arriving in the Maldives.
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FAQ’s –Questions Ans. GK PM Modi:
GK Quiz Questions: Maldives Tourism Industry and Diplomatic Row
1. What triggered the backlash against the Maldives Tourism industry on social media, leading to calls for a boycott?
- A. Diplomatic row with China
- B. Derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Modi
- C. Tourism statistics decline
- D. Environmental concerns
Answer: B. Derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Modi
2. What organization strongly condemned the derogatory comments made by some Deputy Ministers of the Maldives?
- A. Maldives Youth Ministry
- B. Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI)
- C. Maldives Tourism Ministry
- D. Maldives Association of Yacht Agents (MAYA)
Answer: B. Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI)
3. What was the reason behind the condemnation by MATI, according to their statement?
- A. Maldives’ campaign against Indian influence
- B. Disruption of COVID-19 recovery efforts
- C. Decline in tourist arrivals from India
- D. Environmental concerns raised by India
Answer: B. Disruption of COVID-19 recovery efforts
4. What was the reaction of social media users, including celebrities, following the derogatory remarks?
- A. Calls for stronger diplomatic ties
- B. Urging people to boycott domestic travel
- C. Expressing support for Maldives tourism
- D. Ignoring the incident
Answer: B. Urging people to boycott domestic travel
5. How did the Maldives Tourism Ministry view India’s role in the tourism industry, according to the statement by MATI?
- A. Negative impact on recovery efforts
- B. Consistent and significant contributor
- C. Limited contribution to tourist arrivals
- D. Non-involvement in recovery post-COVID-19
Answer: B. Consistent and significant contributor
6. Why were three Deputy Ministers in the Maldives suspended by the government?
- A. Violation of environmental laws
- B. Derogatory remarks against India and Prime Minister Modi
- C. Failure to support the “India Out” campaign
- D. Disruption of diplomatic ties with China
Answer: B. Derogatory remarks against India and Prime Minister Modi
7. Despite the diplomatic row, what notable event took place in the Maldives on Monday, as reported by state-run PSM News?
- A. Political summit between India and Maldives
- B. Arrival of the first cruise liner of the year from India
- C. Official apology from the Maldivian government
- D. Suspension of diplomatic relations with India
Answer: B. Arrival of the first cruise liner of the year from India
8. How many passengers did the Indian cruise liner carry on its first visit to the Maldives in the reported incident?
- A. Around 500 passengers
- B. Approximately 1,000 passengers
- C. About 2,000 passengers
- D. More than 3,000 passengers
Answer: C. About 2,000 passengers
9. What action did the Maldivian government take in response to India’s summons of Ibrahim Shaheeb, the Maldivian envoy in New Delhi?
- A. Issued a formal apology
- B. Reiterated support for its neighbor
- C. Initiated a diplomatic boycott
- D. Suspended diplomatic ties with India
Answer: B. Reiterated support for its neighbor
10. According to the Maldives Association of Yacht Agents (MAYA), where did the Indian cruise ship sail from before arriving in the Maldives?
- A. Colombo, Sri Lanka
- B. Bangkok, Thailand
- C. Kochi, Kerala
- D. Male, Maldives
Answer: C. Kochi, Kerala
