EaseMyTrip resumes Maldives bookings after INR 15 Crore loss amid boycott campaign

28 May 2024 | 13:31
EaseMyTrip poster showing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Lakshadweep

EaseMyTrip, which participated in India's "Boycott Maldives" campaign, faced a loss of INR 15 crores after the boycott and months after suspending flight and hotel bookings for the Maldives amid the diplomatic row, the online travel aggregator has quietly resumed reservations for the island nation, according to the Hindustan Times.

The boycott began when President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu assumed office and initiated efforts to remove Indian military troops from the Maldives. Instead of visiting India, President Muizzu made his first state visits to Turkey and China.

Just before Muizzu’s trip to China, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Lakshadweep, promoting the island on social media, which spurred Indian activists to boycott the Maldives.

This was exacerbated by derogatory remarks from three Maldivian deputy ministers against India and Modi on social media in January.

Following which, EaseMyTrip co-founder Nishant Pitti announced on X,

In solidarity with our nation, EaseMyTrip has suspended all Maldivian flight bookings

 co-founder Nishant Pitti wrote

 Indian media praised this move as a lesson for the Maldives.

However, reports later revealed that the company suffered a substantial loss for the March quarter.

When rumors spread on social media that EaseMyTrip had resumed bookings, Pitti denied it.

Speculations arose that the company couldn't sustain the boycott indefinitely.

Despite the campaign, the Indian market share in Maldivian tourism dropped to 8th rank, but overall tourism remained stable due to the Maldives' focus on European markets.

The campaign has since quieted, and bilateral relations between India and the Maldives are improving.

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