After a period of decreased visits from Indian celebrities, the Maldives is once again experiencing a rise in high-profile visitors from the Indian entertainment industry. Prominent Bollywood stars and TV personalities are choosing the Maldives as their preferred holiday destination, with many celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions in the tropical paradise.
Bollywood celebrities, with their massive social media followings, play a significant role in promoting the Maldives’ tourism industry. India has always been a key market for the Maldives, and the renewed interest from Indian stars is a positive development for the sector.
Earlier this year, there was a noticeable decline in visits from Indian celebrities following a social media campaign in India calling for a boycott of the Maldives, sparked by political tensions between the two countries. The movement encouraged Indians to consider alternative destinations, such as Lakshadweep, for their vacations.
However, the situation has improved, with more Indian film stars returning to the Maldives in recent months, indicating a shift in sentiment and improved relations between the two nations.
India has also held roadshows in major cities to promote Maldivian tourism, further strengthening ties. Maldivian Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal emphasized the importance of the Indian market and highlighted ongoing efforts to attract more Indian tourists.
The return of Indian celebrities to the Maldives is expected to boost the tourism sector, with India ranked as the sixth-largest source of tourists, contributing nearly 90,000 visitors by the end of September.
