Nearly 290 employees from the Reliance Group have arrived in the Maldives for a holiday, marking a significant return of Indian tourists to the islands.
The group, which arrived on two SriLankan Airlines flights on Thursday, will be staying at the OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi resort.
Mohammed Firag, Managing Director of Inner Maldives, the local agent for SriLankan Airlines, emphasized the importance of this visit. He noted, “This is the first large group from an Indian company to visit the Maldives since the decline in Indian tourist arrivals, which followed tensions between the two countries.” He highlighted that this visit signals a resurgence in the Maldives’ appeal to Indian tourists.
Firag expressed optimism about the recovery of the Indian market after a steep decline in tourist numbers. “This is a clear sign that the Indian market is recovering,” he said, forecasting further growth in the coming year.
Despite a challenging year, overall tourist arrivals in the Maldives have increased by 10% compared to the previous year, exceeding 1.5 million visitors. However, the Indian market, which once led in visitor numbers, has dropped to sixth place, with fewer than 100,000 tourists.
The recent improvement in Maldives-India relations, particularly following President Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to India, has contributed to this positive trend. During the visit, the President took part in tourism promotion activities and engaged with tourism officials, indicating a renewed commitment to strengthening ties between the two nations.
As Reliance Group employees enjoy their holiday, this visit could pave the way for a stronger future for Indian tourism, fostering closer relations and attracting more travelers to the Maldives’ breathtaking landscapes.
