250% increase in the Indian tourists visiting Sri Lanka

• Boycott of Maldives benefits Sri Lanka

• 42% reduction in Indian tourists visiting Maldives

New Delhi – Insulting Prime Minister Modi a few months back seems to have proved detrimental for the Maldives. The boycott of Maldives as a tourist destination by the Indians has proved beneficial for Sri Lanka. Many Indians are visiting Sri Lanka for vacations. There has been a 250% increase in their number. Sri Lanka’s Tourism Minister Harin Fernando said that Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has benefited from the boycott of the Maldives by the Indians.

1. Last year in January, 13,759 Indians visited Sri Lanka; but in January this year, the number was 34,399. Last year in February, 13,714 Indians visited Sri Lanka, this year that number was 30,027. Similar increase in numbers was seen during March and April.

2. On the other hand, during January to April, 42,638 Indians visited Maldives. Last year the number of Indian visitors to Maldives was 73,785. It can be seen that there has been a 42% reduction in Indians visiting Maldives.