New Delhi: The global search interest for Lakshadweep is at an all-time high in the last two decades after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the tropical archipelago, MyGov platform informed about the Union Territory’s soaring popularity on its social media platform.
PM @narendramodi‘s visit to Lakshadweep caused a significant surge in online searches about the islands. This worldwide search interest is currently at its highest in the last 20 years, indicating a renewed fascination with its natural beauty and cultural richness#Lakshadweep pic.twitter.com/z1Cqx5HzOL
— MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) January 8, 2024
The surge in the number of searches worldwide has also been linked to the diplomatic row between India and Maldives that got triggered after the sitting Maldivian deputy minister, along with other cabinet members and government officials, made disparaging references to PM Modi’s Lakshadweep visit and passed some derogatory remarks against Indians. Following this, film celebrities, cricketers, and some notable personalities have openly endorsed tourist destinations in India and have voiced support for PM Modi’s call to promote local beach destinations including tourism in Lakshadweep.
Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) president, Jyoti Mayal told WION that there has been a surge in travel inquiries for Lakshadweep while there are none for Maldives right now. Mayal also noted that Maldives’ Tour Operators and Travel Associations, in a letter to the organisation, have distanced themselves from the remarks by the sitting minister of Maldives.
“Maldives Tour Operators and Travel Associations are reaching out to TAAI because we have a MoU with the Associations and the Ministry of Tourism there for working together. They are saying that this was not the opinion of everyone and this is an individual opinion,” she told Wion.
