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Maldives: In recent times, the Maldives has experienced an influx of tourists from India. This trend has been significantly highlighted on social media platforms like Instagram, which was flooded with holiday pictures and videos of the Maldives. Unexpectedly, tourists started landing in Maldives from various Indian cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. This spike in travel was facilitated by flights from Air India and SpiceJet, along with Maldivian airlines operating to India. The lower travel costs, shorter flight durations, and the prospect of investing saved costs on fancy resorts has made Maldives an irresistible destination.
"Revenge Tourism" to Maldives in the COVID Times
Remarkably, Maldives became one of the first "revenge tourism" destinations for Indians amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the potential consequences of testing COVID positive and being forced to extend their stay, the lure of a beach holiday with ample sun was irresistible for many. The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) in these Instagram days also played a significant role in adding to the attractiveness of Maldives.
The Role of IndiGo Airlines in Boosting Tourism to Maldives
In a major development, IndiGo announced that it would operate flights to Male from several Indian cities. These include four times a week from Delhi, thrice a week from Hyderabad, daily from Bengaluru, Kochi, and Mumbai. Interestingly, the announcement for flights from Delhi came within days of Vistara announcing a daily departure to Male from Delhi, starting from the winter schedule on October 31, 2023. These regular flights will undoubtedly make Maldives a more accessible destination for Indian tourists.
In conclusion, the recent upswing in travel to the Maldives seems to be influenced by a multitude of factors. These include ease of connectivity, low travel costs, the appeal of beach holidays, and the FOMO induced by social media platforms like Instagram. With airlines like IndiGo and Vistara enhancing their services to the Maldives, it seems like this trend is set to continue in the future. The Maldives is fast becoming a go-to destination for Indian travellers seeking sun, sea, and the perfect Instagrammable moments.
