I was scrolling through X(formerly Twitter) and came across the trending hashtag “BoycottMaldives”.

I tend to dig deep and find out that Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi has visited Lakshadweep recently and shared his experience about the stunning beauty of the islands on social media.

He appreciated the scenic beauty of Lakshadweep and encouraged everyone to explore this marvel pristine place called Lakshadweep.

I hope everyone knows about Maldives but where is  Lakshadweep?

Lakshadweep is a union territory of India. It is an archipelago of 36 islands with a combined population of around 65000. It is around 850km from the island nation of Maldives which is one of the renowned tourist destinations.

Lakshadweep is on top with the Maldives Islands down south.

Who Ignited the flame

There is nothing wrong with Mr. Modi promoting Lakshadweep as he has all the rights to promote domestic tourism for his country’s economy, but out of the blue, some ministers from the current Maldives government wrote derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for these posts.

This has triggered a controversy.

A country, whose economy depends on tourism could afford to make such remarks against a nation that contributes more than 12% of tourists annually.

Why they were threatened without provocation or do they have some grudge in mind?

The entire nation took a stand against this insult, and several celebrities, Bollywood actors, and cricketers urged people to explore the Indian islands instead of the Maldives.

Top travel agencies suspended flight booking to Maldives and the hashtag “BoycottMaldives” was born.

Business owners promised to invest capital in Lakshadweep tourism.

I believe in the coming years,  Lakshadweep and other Indian tourist destinations will say, “Thank You”, to the Maldives.

Minicoy Island, Lakshadweep

 “BoycottMaldives” is trending on X(former Twitter) and consequently, three ministers were suspended by the Maldives government.

This was written on the cards when these ministers used their creativity to use those words against a country that always stands for them whenever they are in need.

Do not forget that Indians used to travel to Maldives in numbers due to the close proximity and history of good relationships between both countries.

Aggati Island, Lakshadweep

Now the questions are:

• Is Lakshadweep better than Maldives?

• Does Lakshadweep have the desired infrastructure to provide world-class services?

• Can Lakshadweep attract tourists from all over the world?

• Is it fair to compare Maldives with Lakshadweep?

Let us brainstorm some facts about Lakshadweep and Maldives:

• Maldives has 1192 coral islands with only 300 inhabited & developed as compared to Lakshadweep’s 36 islands.

• Maldives is renowned for its state-of-the-art exotic resorts and overwater bungalows around 200, on the other hand, Lakshadweep has some but none close to resorts in Maldives. However, the absence of a fast lifestyle makes this mystic island a popular tourist destination

• Maldives is well connected with direct flights from international destinations but Lakshadweep has a domestic airport with limited connections.

• Both destinations offer adventure sports like snorkeling and kayaking. However, Maldives’ activity range is quite big including surfing, and deep-sea diving.

• Maldives is a famous destination for shopping experiences too, however, tourists can enjoy beachside markets at Lakshadweep.

• Maldives is ideal for luxury seekers, who crave a pampered escape with a wider range of adventure sports, whereas, Lakshadweep is still raw, nature enthusiast, and those seeking a more authentic and culturally immersive experience will like it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both places have their hidden jewels which everyone should explore. Undoubtedly, Lakshadweep has the potential to be one of the best tourist destinations, but still miles to go.

Hopefully,” BoycottMaldives” will subdue soon as you cannot change your neighbors.

All Indians should thank the Maldives for igniting their thinking towards finding their potential. India has huge tourism potential, waiting to be encashed and become the tourist capital of the world.

At the end, Lakshadweep will say thank you to Maldives down the line. 

I am just thinking out loud about Lakshadweep and its potential. Let us know in the comments if I missed anything.