A notable Indian online travel agency has ceased booking flights to the Maldives amid a social media campaign calling for a boycott. This decision aligns with actions taken in response to offensive comments directed at India and its Prime Minister. The company, which maintains a strong sense of national solidarity, has alternatively begun a campaign to promote the Indian Union Territory of Lakshadweep as a desirable tourist destination, highlighting its natural beauty and comparing it favorably with the Maldives.
The move comes in the backdrop of a political controversy involving Maldivian government officials who were suspended over inappropriate social media posts. The furor over these posts led to a wider public call in India for domestically focused travel, further supported by various Indian public figures who encouraged exploring local vacation options as a form of patriotic tourism.
The response from both the Indian community and the Maldivian government indicates a deep sensitivity to diplomatic relations and public sentiments, with official statements aiming to distance the government’s stance from the personal views expressed by the individuals in question.