X user Rushik Rawal shared a screenshot and wrote that he had a three weeks booking worth Rs 5 lakh from February 1at Palms Retreat, Fulhadhoo in Maldives. “Cancelled immediately after their ministers being racists,” he stated.
Another user on X, Dr Falak Joshipura also shared some screenshots and wrote she was planning to go to Maldives for her birthday which falls on February 2. “Had almost finalised the deal with my travel agent, but immediately cancelled it after seeing this tweet of deputy minister of Maldives,” she stated and added the hashtag boycott Maldives.
Also Read: Maldives govt suspends ministers for derogatory remarks against PM Modi
Subhash Goyal, chairman of aviation, travel and tourism committee at Indian Chamber of Commerce said India must start promoting Lakshadweep, but there is a problem of connectivity and infrastructure there. “It’s my personal opinion, but I think the government should suspend the flights to Maldives and issue an advisory for travellers. I am going to send a message to tour operators to push for Sri Lanka, Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep,” he said. “The government can consider subsidising flights to Lakshadweep under the UDAN scheme and we should have flights from all over India,” he added.
Also Read: Ex Maldives President condemns ‘derogatory remarks’ by Minister Shiuna on Modi’s Lakshadweep visitPoonawalla took to X to state India has so many magnificent tourist destinations with unimaginable potential, yet to be fully explored, while Akshay Kumar wrote he was ‘surprised’ to come across comments from prominent public figures from Maldives passing hateful and racist comments on Indians and that India sends them the maximum number of tourists. “We are good to our neighbours but why should we tolerate such unprovoked hate? I’ve visited the Maldives many times and always praised it, but dignity first. Let us decide to #ExploreIndianIslands and support our own tourism,” he wrote.Also Read: India-Maldives news: Social media controversy sheds light on a relationship that goes beyond tourism
Hashtags like ExploreIndianislands, Maldives, and Lakshadweep generated 1.49 lakh, 1.14 lakh, and 95,000 posts on X by Sunday night.
