|
| Tourists wary as political tension increases in Maldives | | Tourism is estimated to account for two-thirds of the island?s gross domestic product of $1 billion |
| Ruchika Chitravanshi & Raghuvir Badrinath / New Delhi/ Bangalore Feb 12, 2012, 00:45 IST |
|
Political violence in the Maldives has taken a toll on tourists planning a visit to the Indian Ocean archipelago. As tourists are waiting to see how the situation unfolds, travel agencies’ business to the paradise isles has dipped significantly.
“There have been a lot of queries and concerns among tourists travelling to the Maldives. There is no unrest in the tourist spots, but no new booking is happening at this stage,” said Arjun Sharma, managing director of Le Passage to India.
The Maldives, a nation of 1,190 low-lying islands of which only 200 are inhabited, is a popular high-end holiday spot for young and leisure travellers, especially honeymooners. It gets a million visitors every year, most seeking a beach or scuba diving holiday getaway at resorts that charge up to $1,000 a night. Tourism is estimated to account for two-thirds of the Maldives’ gross domestic product of about $1 billion. Only 330,000 people live permanently in the country. In 2011, the country received 30,978 tourists from India, compared to 25,756 in the previous year.
Tour operators are feeling the pinch more, as this is seen as the perfect time for Indians to go to the Maldives. “We are seeing nearly 50 per cent people cancelling or postponing their trip to the Maldives, although the actual travel destinations are safe. There is an apprehension due to the coup that has taken place there,” said Subhash Goyal, chairman of Stic Travel Group.
“We are advising tourists to plan their travel to the Maldives after a week, when the situation can be assessed better,” said a senior travel industry executive.
“We are following the developments in the Republic of Maldives. The airport is functioning normally. The safety of passengers, our employees and their families is our prime concern and we are assured that they are safe and secure,” said a GMR spokesperson. GMR operates the Male airport and is also upgrading it. Its investment in the project will reach $500 million by 2014.
The Maldives Tourism Authority has said no tourist or resort has been affected. People intending to come to the Maldives on vacation can be reassured that their holiday will not be affected in any way, the authority has said. A statement on its website said, “The Maldives is unique for its one island, one resort geography and guarantees no guest should be part of any local political issue.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Read Business news in |  |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advertisements |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Content Guide
