Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal said today that his goal is to position India among the top three source markets for tourist arrivals in the Maldives by the end of the year.
Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal said today that his goal is to position India among the top three source markets for tourist arrivals in the Maldives by the end of the year.
Speaking at a press briefing organized by the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), Faisal said that discussions were held during the "Welcome India Road Show" in three Indian cities last week with new and former travel agents.
"My aim is to elevate the Indian market to third place by the end of this year. Currently, we have welcomed 71,000 Indian tourists, compared to about 200,000 last year," Faisal said.
The government is targeting an annual arrival of one million tourists each from India and China, with initiatives already underway. To support these efforts, the budget for tourism promotion has been increased to MVR 20 million.
MMPRC Managing Director Ibrahim Shiuree emphasized the importance of India as a key market. He noted that while India currently ranks sixth in tourist arrivals, special campaigns will be launched to boost numbers, particularly during off-season.
"India is the closest country to us and a critical market for filling off-season gaps. We do not want to see a decline in the number of visitors from the country," Shiuree said.
India has been the largest source of tourists to the Maldives for the past three years. However, political tensions and a boycott campaign in India have led to a significant drop in tourist arrivals from the country.
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