MakeMyTrip Reports 3,400% Increase in Lakshadweep Searches, Public Calls for Suspension of Maldives Bookings
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 8th Jan. MakeMyTrip, an online travel company, on Monday reported a significant increase in searches for Lakshadweep, an island in India, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit.
The company also announced the launch of a campaign promoting India’s beautiful beaches.
However, social media users were not impressed with these statistics and instead demanded that MakeMyTrip suspend bookings to the Maldives due to derogatory remarks made by some of the country’s ministers against PM Modi.
MakeMyTrip’s post on X (formerly Twitter) stated, “We have observed a 3400% increase in on-platform searches for Lakshadweep ever since the Honorable PM’s visit.”
The company expressed its interest in Indian beaches and its intention to encourage Indian travelers to explore the country’s stunning beaches through a campaign with offers and discounts. However, within an hour of the post, users flooded the comments section, demanding the removal of Maldives as a destination on the platform.
Some users even threatened to switch to MakeMyTrip’s competitor, EaseMyTrip, which had already suspended bookings to the Maldives.
Another user directly addressed MakeMyTrip CEO Deep Kalra, questioning his willingness to stop Maldives bookings and praising EaseMyTrip for taking a bold step.
Earlier on Monday, EaseMyTrip’s co-founder and Executive Director, Prashant Pitti, announced the indefinite suspension of bookings to the Maldives.
India and Russia are the largest sources of visitors to the Maldives, which heavily relies on tourism for its economy.
The controversy surrounding the derogatory comments made by the now-suspended Maldivian ministers about PM Modi coincides with President Mohamed Muizzu’s state visit to China, breaking the tradition of Maldivian leaders choosing New Delhi as their first international destination.
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