MakeMyTrip Surges: 3400% Jump In Lakshadweep Searches Following PM Modi's Visit

Online travel company MakeMyTrip on Monday claimed that a massive 3400% surge was recorded in on-platform searches for Lakshadweep following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the union territory. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, MakeMyTrip wrote, "NewsFlash: We have observed a 3400% increase in on-platform searches for Lakshadweep ever since Honorable PM's visit."

With such a remarkable surge in search response and heightened interest in Indian beaches, the 'Beaches of India' campaign has been announced by MakeMyTrip to offer various discounts and promotions, encouraging travellers to explore the beaches across the country.

"It has been inspired by this interest in Indian beaches to launch a 'Beaches of India' campaign on the platform with offers and discounts to encourage Indian travellers to explore the country's stunning beaches. Keep watching this space!" read the statement released by MakeMyTrip, reported ANI.

Raj Rishi Singh, Chief Marketing and Business Officer of MakeMyTrip, stated, "A remarkable 3400% increase in on-platform searches for Lakshadweep has been observed since the PM's visit. This has inspired the creation of the 'Beaches of India' campaign." Further, he added, "Customers can gain knowledge about the beaches of India, and we are also providing remarkable deals and discounts under this," according to ANI.

Earlier in the day, the decision to suspend all Maldives flight bookings was announced by another online travel company, EaseMyTrip, amid the boycott Maldives campaign. Nishant Pitti, co-founder and CEO of the travel company, stated, "In solidarity with our nation, @EaseMyTrip has suspended all Maldives flight bookings."

Explaining the decision, Pitti mentioned that the principle of 'country comes before business' guided the move, and other homegrown tourism companies should also follow suit. This decision follows a row that erupted when some Maldivian leaders made derogatory comments against PM Modi and mocked his recent visit to Lakshadweep. India strongly raised the matter with Male, and the island nation's top opposition leaders slammed the ruling establishment over the row.

How India-Maldives row triggered?

In a post, which is now deleted, a mocking and disrespectful reference to PM Modi was made by the Maldivian deputy minister of Youth Empowerment, Mariyam Shiuna. The remarks elicited a furious response in India, leading to the Maldives government rejecting the derogatory comments, emphasizing that they did not represent the views of Males. On Sunday, three deputy ministers were also suspended by the Maldivian government for derogatory social media posts against PM Modi. Bookings for trips to the archipelago were even cancelled by some individuals who had initially planned them.

On January 2, the union territory was visited by PM Modi, who shared several pictures, including an 'exhilarating experience' of him trying his hand at snorkelling. In a series of posts on X, pictures of the white beaches, pristine blue skies, and the ocean were shared by PM Modi, tagging them with a message that read, "For those who wish to embrace the adventurer in them, Lakshadweep has to be on your list."