Steave Studies

In recent trienniums, an excess of 200,000 denizens from India graced the Maldivian shores annually, marking the highest influx from any nation post the COVID-19 pandemic, as disclosed by official data. This revelation surfaces amidst fervent calls from various circles to shun the island nation as a preferred travel destination, a consequence of a diplomatic discord between the two nations. Per the Maldives Tourism Ministry's metrics for 2023, a staggering 1.7 million tourists made their sojourn to the isle, with Indians leading the tally at over 209,198, closely trailed by Russians (209,146) and Chinese (187,118). The preceding years showcased a consistent surge in Indian footfalls, surpassing 240,000 in 2022 and exceeding 211,000 in 2021. During the pandemic, the Maldives stood as one of the rare nations welcoming international tourists, hosting nearly 63,000 Indian visitors.                                                                     Historically, India held the fifth po