Bhubaneswar: With the ongoing boycott Maldives campaign gaining momentum, Indian travel company EaseMyTrip has decided to suspend all Maldives flight bookings.
The CEO and co-founder of EaseMyTrip, Nishant Pitti, made the announcement to halt of all flight reservations to the Maldives through a post on X. The decision comes in response to derogatory remarks made by Maldivian ministers against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In solidarity with our nation, @EaseMyTrip has suspended all Maldives flight bookings ✈️ #TravelUpdate #SupportingNation #LakshadweepTourism #ExploreIndianlslands #Lakshadweep#ExploreIndianIslands @kishanreddybjp @JM_Scindia @PMOIndia @tourismgoi @narendramodi @incredibleindia https://t.co/wIyWGzyAZY
— Nishant Pitti (@nishantpitti) January 7, 2024
The online travel solutions provider has also started visit Lakshadweep campaign by #ChaloLakshadweep. “Water & beaches of Lakshadweep are as good as Maldives/Seychelles. We at @EaseMyTrip will come up with crazy special-offers to promote this pristine destination that our PM Narendra Modi has recently visited!” Prashant Pitti wrote.
The controversy was triggered after a Maldives minister mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep, while accusing India of targeting the nation and asserting that India faces challenges in competing with the Maldives in beach tourism. Many on social media shared purported screenshots of their cancelled air travel and hotel bookings. Additionally ‘#BoycottMaldives’ became one of the top trends on X in India.
Also Read: #Boycott Maldives Trends On Internet As People Claim To Cancel Bookings
Following the backlash the Maldivian government on Sunday suspended three deputy ministers for the derogatory social media posts.
According to the Indian Association of Tour Operators, the boycott movement would become more evident in the next 20-25 days. “Suddenly, there has been no inquiry on the Maldives. There are sudden drops. Those who have made payments will not cancel them. We are expecting that people will not book trips to the Maldives,” president of the Indian Association of Tour Operators Rajiv Mehra told ANI.
Lakshadweep is a group of 36 islands located off the coast of Kerala. Androth, Kavaratti, Kalpeni, Ameni and Agathi are believed to be the first few islands to be inhabited.
