Indian Chamber of Commerce Urges Tour Operators to Boycott Maldives & Divert Enquiries to Lakshadweep
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 9th Jan. The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has called on tour operators to boycott the Maldives and instead promote the Indian islands of Lakshadweep.
Subhash Goyal, who leads the Expert Committee on Tourism at ICC, made the request in response to anti-India sentiments expressed by the Maldivian deputy ministers.
Goyal highlighted that despite Indians being a major source of foreign exchange and job creation in the Maldives, anti-India comments were still made. He suggested redirecting enquiries to Lakshadweep and other destinations in the Indian Ocean area, such as Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Bali, and Phuket, which he claimed were even better than the Maldives in many ways.
Goyal also urged Indian carriers operating in the Maldives to suspend their operations and consider operating in Lakshadweep instead. He encouraged members of FHRAI and the Hotel Association of India to invest in Lakshadweep, as it would provide better returns on their investment in the future.
Goyal’s appeal was directed at various Indian tour operator associations and travel agencies.
EaseMyTrip, an online travel firm, has already suspended all bookings to the Maldives in response to derogatory comments against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
MakeMyTrip, another travel booking app, has observed a significant increase in searches for Lakshadweep following PM Modi’s visit to the archipelago.
The search interest for Lakshadweep worldwide reached its highest point in 20 years after the visit.
PM Modi visited Lakshadweep to inaugurate several projects and shared his experiences of exploring the underwater world and pristine beaches. However, his visit was mocked by three Maldivian deputy ministers, leading to their suspension by the Maldivian government.
