THE Maldives has found a new challenge to its famous tourism sector after Israel asked its citizens to avoid travelling to the archipelago after Male barred visitors from the Middle Eastern nation to its shores in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The Jewish state has also been promoting western and southern beaches of the Maldives' neighbour India -- from Goa to Kerala -- as an alternative destination for its tourists.
The Israeli embassy in India tweeted on Monday (3) in English and Hindi, saying, "Since the Maldives is no longer welcoming Israelis, here are some beautiful and amazing Indian beaches where Israeli tourists are warmly welcomed and treated with utmost hospitality."
Read: Maldives tourism body to hold road shows in India to woo visitors back
It also posted pictures of some of India's popular sea destinations, including Lakshadweep, over which a serious diplomatic row has broken out between India and the Maldives since a visit there by the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi.
The Indian island chain in the Arabian Sea emerged as a sore spot for the Maldivian authorities after some of the country's officials allegedly made derogatory remarks against Modi after he promoted the place during a visit there in January this year. The posts against the PM saw a massive uproar in India with celebrities and common people calling to boycott the Maldives, which once saw the maximum number of visitors from its south Asian neighbour.
Read: Cash-strapped Pakistan reaches out to Maldives after India slashes aid
The pro-China government of president Mohamed Muizzu, who came to power last November, was blamed for the deteriorating ties between New Delhi and Male. Several tour and travel operating bodies in the Maldives, however, urged Indian tourists to visit their country even as footfalls from India there plummeted over the last few months.
The Maldives relies on tourism heavily and the decision to ban could sting its economy more after the number of Indian visitors dropped to a record low since the row.
Official data have shown that the number of Israelis visiting the Maldives this year is also down 88 per cent compared to 2023.
Muizzu has “resolved to impose a ban on Israeli passports”, a spokesperson for his office said in a statement, according to a report by The Guardian. It, however, did not give details of when the new law would take effect. Public anger in the Maldives over the ongoing conflict in Gaza appears to be behind the decision to ban the passport holders.
Israel subsequently asked its citizens not to travel to the island nation, including those having dual citizenship. It also urged those who are already in that country to exit, the report added.
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