In the midst of a diplomatic tension between India and Maldives, travel portals are witnessing an unprecedented surge in searches for beach destinations across the country, apart from the ongoing curiosity about Lakshadweep.
Online travel company Make My Trip released a statement, revealing that alongside the heightened interest in Lakshadweep, there has been an astounding increase in searches for Daman, another picturesque beach destination. According to the statement, searches for Daman have surged by over 350 percent, indicating a remarkable spike in traveler curiosity.
The diplomatic disagreement between India and Maldives escalated when the deputy minister of Maldives, along with other now-suspended cabinet members, made inappropriate remarks about Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to Lakshadweep.
Make My Trip reported an all-time high in on-platform searches for various beach destinations across the country. The statement highlighted a significant doubling of searches for top beach destinations in the last couple of days. In addition to the heightened interest in Lakshadweep and the remarkable surge in searches for Daman, other destinations are also experiencing considerable growth.
Andamans, for instance, has seen an overall increase in search volumes by over 120 percent. The statement also mentioned healthy double-digit growth in searches for other popular beach destinations, including Kochi, Gokarna, Puri, Visakhapatnam, Varkala, Puducherry, Goa, and various beaches in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
This surge in interest suggests that travelers are exploring alternative beach destinations amid the current diplomatic tensions. A travel agent corroborated this trend, noting that in the past two days, they have received numerous inquiries from customers specifically regarding beach destinations. This unusual uptick in queries during this season underscores the impact of geopolitical developments on travel preferences, as people seek diverse and appealing alternatives in response to the evolving diplomatic situation.
Amidst recent developments, Rajeev Kale, President and Country Head of Holidays, MICE, and Visa at Thomas Cook (India) Limited, shared insights into the noticeable impact of Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to Lakshadweep on travel trends. According to Kale, there has been a substantial increase in searches for both domestic islands and beach destinations following the Prime Minister’s encouragement for Indians to explore the islands within the country.
Kale highlighted the surge in search data for Lakshadweep, indicating a remarkable jump of over 950 percent compared to December. This surge in interest extends beyond Lakshadweep to other captivating destinations, including Andamans, Goa, Kerala’s Kovalam, and Daman and Diu. The encouraging numbers suggest that the Prime Minister’s call has acted as a catalyst for promoting domestic tourism.
Daniel D’Souza, President and Country Head of Holidays at SOTC Travel, echoed similar sentiments regarding the impact of the Prime Minister’s initiative. D’Souza acknowledged that the call to explore the less-explored gem of Lakshadweep and its pristine islands has successfully captured significant attention and interest across the country. Lakshadweep has now become the most searched destination globally, with a surge of almost 200 percent in search data on their portal for Lakshadweep cruise sailings.
Anticipating a sustained interest and growing demand, D’Souza expressed optimism that this surge will encourage authorities to invest in strengthening the infrastructure in Lakshadweep. Additionally, establishing direct connectivity is seen as a vital step to further boost tourism in this picturesque destination.
The notable surge in interest and searches reflects a positive response to the government’s promotion of domestic tourism, particularly to lesser-explored destinations. The hope is that this increased attention will not only benefit the tourism industry but also lead to essential improvements in the infrastructure and connectivity of these unique destinations, making them more accessible and appealing to a broader audience.
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