The Maldives is no longer the preferred island retreat for Indians.

In January 2024, there was a notable shift in the Maldives archipelago's tourism landscape. This change was indicated by a sharp drop in the number of Indian tourists, who had historically made up the largest traveler group in the nation.The current situation stems from a recent diplomatic dispute that was sparked by disparaging remarks made about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Maldivian ministers. The conflict started when Prime Minister Modi shared captivating photos from his early January visit to Lakshadweep, a Union Territory of India, showing off its natural beauty.Following the ministers of the Maldives' comments on social media, a social media storm developed, leading Indians to boycott Maldives travel in general and the Maldives in particular. The diplomatic impasse that resulted from the online debate was evident in the decline of Indian visitors to the Maldives.

If information is to be believed, only 13,989 Indian tourists—or 8% of all visitors—visited the archipelago in January. With regard to countries sending tourists to the Maldives this month, India came in fifth. In January 2024, Russia accounted for 18,561 of the Maldives' foreign visitor count, making it the country's largest contributor. Closely trailing behind, Italy, China, and the UK took second, third, and fourth place, respectively.The Maldives has traditionally benefited greatly from tourism from India. For example, India held the second position in December 2023 with 161,751 tourists. Travel trends have obviously been impacted by the diplomatic spat, though, as there were fewer Indian visitors in January.Lakshadweep in India gained attention for its enthralling natural beauty and unrealized potential. Lakshadweep, blessed with immaculate beaches, colorful coral reefs, and a thriving marine ecosystem, provides a tranquil haven from the bustle of city life. Travelers are becoming more curious and interested in Lakshadweep as a result of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent distribution of stunning photos highlighting the archipelago's splendor.