Not Maldives, This is India's New Vacation Spot
Not very long ago, certain disparaging statements made by Maldivian politicians about prime minister Narendra Modi and india caused the relations between the two countries to deteriorate. On social media, users expressed their disgust as well, as "Boycott Maldives" was becoming popular in India. As a result, fewer indian visitors visited the Maldives. Months later, the impact of the diplomatic spat is still being felt since indian tourists are no longer traveling to the Maldives.
Australia, on the other hand, is now a significant tourism hotspot. Particularly in Sydney, indian tourism took off. This is because New South wales (NSW) now has direct flights from india, and internet applications have made it easier to get a visa. A total of 1,81,600 indian tourists visited australia in 2023. This year, too, these figures are increasing. PTI was informed by Destination NSW Country Manager samar Choksi that double-digit growth in official numbers is anticipated this year.
However, following the dispute with india, tourism to the maldives fell by 40%. As part of the "Welcome India" campaign to entice indians to return to their homeland, Ibrahim Faisal, the minister of tourism for the maldives, recently traveled to India. Roadshows were conducted in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore as part of the maldives government's program.