SUDIPTA DEV – Mumbai
India is the third largest market for the Maldives from Asian region. The market has been growing at an average annual rate of 23 per cent over the last five years. “The huge annual growth rate recorded for this market is due to the heavy growths registered in 2007 and 2011. By the end of year 2011 India captured 3.3 per cent market share, generating over 30,000 tourists,” said Mohamed Maleeh Jamal, deputy minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture, Maldives.
Maldives Visitor Survey Report 2011 states that a high percentage of Indians visit the Maldives for holidays, for business purpose followed by for honeymoon. It is identified that out of the Asian visitors, business as a purpose of visiting Maldives is chosen mostly by Indians. “We believe India holds potential for the Maldives due to its proximity and the affluent market segments and with major marketing activities we could create a higher demand in India for the Maldivian tourism product,” stated Maleeh Jamal.
