EaseMyTrip has resumed flight bookings to the Maldives, signaling improved bilateral ties between India and the Maldives. The decision comes after EaseMyTrip had suspended services earlier this year due to diplomatic tensions sparked by disparaging remarks allegedly made by Maldivian politicians about India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This led to the #BoycottMaldives movement and significant cancellations of trips, impacting the tourism industry in the Maldives, which heavily relies on Indian visitors for its economy.
The resumption of flight bookings by EaseMyTrip follows positive discussions with the Maldives tourism ministry and a constructive dialogue during a visit to India by Maldives Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal. Recognizing the economic importance of Indian tourists, Maldives has been actively working to bring India back as a top source market. India was previously the top source market for Maldives tourism, but Indian arrivals had dropped, prompting efforts to rebuild this partnership and boost tourism numbers from India.
The travel industry has welcomed EaseMyTrip’s decision to resume bookings to the Maldives, highlighting the strong India-Maldives partnership. Maldives has set a target of 3 million annual tourists by 2026, with a focus on India and China. With 1.46 million tourists already visiting the Maldives in 2024, there is optimism that the renewed ties will give a further boost to the tourism sector. Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu will be visiting India for his first state visit, further emphasizing the importance of the partnership between the two nations.
The impact of EaseMyTrip’s suspension of bookings earlier this year was severe, with over 8,000 hotel bookings and more than 2,500 flight tickets being cancelled. This had a significant economic fallout, particularly for guesthouses and small and medium-sized enterprises in the Maldives that rely on Indian visitors. The decision to resume bookings reflects a thaw in the diplomatic frost between India and the Maldives and raises questions about how travel companies should respond to political tensions – whether they should pick sides or remain neutral while serving the interests of travelers and the economy.
The diplomatic rift between India and the Maldives led to the #BoycottMaldives movement, impacting the tourism industry and causing disruptions in travel plans. However, the recent positive developments and improved bilateral ties have paved the way for the resumption of flight bookings and a renewed focus on rebuilding the partnership between the two nations. This highlights the importance of diplomacy in the travel industry and the economic significance of tourism for countries like the Maldives, which rely heavily on visitors for their GDP. Overall, the decision by EaseMyTrip to resume flight bookings to the Maldives signifies a positive step towards strengthening ties and boosting tourism in the region.
