Amid cancellations by Indian tourists following a diplomatic row, the Maldivian President urges China to boost tourist arrivals.
Amidst growing calls from Indians to boycott tourism in the Maldives in favor of exploring domestic destinations, President Mohamed Muizzu has urged China to step up efforts to attract more tourists to his country. During his five-day visit to China, the president, known for his pro-China stance, emphasized Beijing as the Maldives’ “closest” ally and a key partner, urging increased investment. He praised China and highlighted the nation’s significance as the Maldives’ top market before the COVID-19 pandemic, expressing a desire to reestablish this position.
Muizzu also lauded transformative infrastructure projects initiated through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in the Maldives. Speaking at the Maldives Business Forum in Fujian Province, he underscored China’s role as a vital ally and development collaborator, specifically calling for intensified efforts to regain China’s status as the primary market for Maldivian tourism.
USD 50 million projects for tourism signed between Maldives and China.
During his visit, the president of the Maldives inked a USD 50 million deal with China to establish an integrated tourism zone in the Indian Ocean island, according to local media reports cited by PTI. This project underscores the growing closeness between the two nations, symbolizing collaborative endeavors. In contrast, relations between India and the Maldives are deteriorating, with the Indian boycott of Maldives tourism gaining momentum after a Maldives minister made disparaging remarks about PM Modi following his visit to Lakshadweep.
In response, the Maldives government has taken action by suspending three deputy ministers responsible for the offensive social media posts, drawing strong condemnation from the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) against such comments.
Despite these measures, the widespread boycott campaign against the Maldives has resulted in a substantial number of cancellations by Indian tourists.