India-Maldives Row: Tour Operators Told to Stop Promoting Maldives

Amidst a diplomatic row between India and the Maldives, a leading Indian trade body has urged tour operators to "stop promoting" the island nation as a tourist destination.

This comes in response to derogatory remarks made by three Maldivian ministers targeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The ICC, through its Aviation and Tourism Committee, issued a press release urging members.

Associations like IATO, TAAI, TAFI, ATOAI, and ADTOI to refrain from promoting Maldivian tourism packages in light of the "anti-India feelings expressed by the ministers."

This move aims to send a strong message of disapproval and express solidarity with the Indian sentiment.

The call for a boycott comes amidst a growing wave of public anger in India over the Maldivian ministers' remarks.

Indian social media has been flooded with calls for a tourism boycott, with hashtags like #BoycottMaldives trending.

Some travel agents have already reported cancellations of Maldives bookings and a shift in interest towards alternative destinations like Lakshadweep and Mauritius.

The Indian government has officially condemned the Maldivian ministers' statements and summoned the Maldivian High Commissioner to lodge a strong protest.

However, the ICC's call for a tourism boycott marks a significant escalation of the dispute, potentially impacting the Maldivian economy which relies heavily on Indian tourism.