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‘Chalo Lakshadweep’: How the island is bracing for a tourism boom

Lakshadweep is among 2024’s top travel destinations so far. Interest has surged after PM Narendra Modi’s visit. The island is likely to get a new airport and at least two luxury resorts with water and beach villas in the coming years. Is it India’s answer to the Maldives?

India’s smallest Union Territory is the talk of the talk. It has quickly climbed to the top of must-see places, at least among Indian tourists. Lakshadweep caught people’s attention after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the island and posted stunning pictures last week. Then came the derogatory comments by Maldivian ministers, which sparked a diplomatic row, triggering angry Indians to “boycott” the island nation.

From celebrities to social media influencers, everyone is vowing to “explore Indian islands” . And Lakshadweep is dominating that list.

The archipelago, off the coast of Kerala, is less explored. Even Indians need permits to visit. But as interest in it has risen, Lakshadweep is gearing up to boost its infrastructure.

Also read: What led to the spat between India and the Maldives? What has happened since then?

Travelling to Lakshadweep

Indian airlines so far have a poor presence on the island. There was a time when Air India subsidiary Alliance Air had wet-leased 19-seater B1900 to reach Lakshadweep from Kerala’s Kochi, according to a report in Hindustan Times . Currently, the carrier operates six days a week with the ATR 72-600, which lands in Agatti Island. The flight takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes along a picturesque route which gives views of the island’s clear blue waters when descending.

Startup fly91 is expected to start operating flights soon. It has won routes under RCS-UDAN (regional connectivity scheme) from and to Lakshadweep.

Three ships run operations between Lakshadweep and Kochi and the journey by water takes about 14 to 18 hours, reports The Quint .

Also read: How PM Modi’s visit has been a blessing to Lakshadweep

A new airport?

The aircraft flying into the UT now land on the airstrip at Agatti Island. However, only narrow-body aircraft can fly here.

The Indian government is reportedly planning to build a new airport at Minicoy Island, Lakshadweep’s most populated, which is around 300 km from the atolls. It is expected to accommodate both military and civilian aircraft of the Airbus type, according to media reports.

The proposed plan includes a dual-purpose airfield which can operate fighter jets, other military aircraft and commercial planes, government sources told India Today.

The proposal for the airfield suggests that the operations will be led by the Indian Air Force. While it will strengthen the country’s surveillance capabilities over the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean region, it is also expected to boost regional tourism, the report says.

According to the ANI report, the Indian Coast Guard was the first to suggest an airport in Minicoy.

The proposed airport is expected to be strategically crucial, as the island is close to one of the busiest shipping routes in the world. It is located near shipping channel number 9, from where around 300 ships pass daily, reports CNN-News 18 .

New resorts coming soon

There are a few resorts on Lakshadweep’s Bangram Island, Agatti Island, and Mincoy Island.

Now India’s big hotel chains are looking for more sites to build luxurious properties. The Taj Group has announced that it will open new hotels in Suheli and Kadmat islands by 2026, which will be developed by Indian Hotels Company (IHCL).

The Taj at Suheli, a ring-shaped island with a coral reef rim that surrounds a lagoon, will boast 110 rooms including 50 water villas and 60 villas on the beach. Resorts in the Maldives are famous for such luxury villas.

Kadmat Island is a marine protected area with seagrass beds, which are nestling grounds for marine turtles. The Taj property coming up here will comprise 35 water villas and 75 beach ones, reports Zee News.

Puneet Chhatwal, managing director and chief executive officer, IHCL said, “…We see significant potential in Lakshadweep, with its pristine beaches and coral reefs set amongst the Arabian Sea. The two world-class Taj resorts will attract international as well as national travellers.”

The upcoming resorts will focus on sustainable hospitality to create a minimal footprint and preserve the fragile ecosystem of the largely unexplored destination.

The rising demand

As Indians “boycott” the Maldives , the searches for Lakshadweep have surged. According to a PTI report, Google searches for the island are at their highest in the last 20 years.

MakeMyTrip, the online travel portal, said in a post on X that it witnessed a 3,400 per cent increase in on-platform searches on Lakshadweep since PM Modi’s visit to the island , reports The Times of India .

Even Ixigo, another travel firm, reported a similar trend. Aloke Bajpai, the co-founder and group CEO of the agency, wrote on X, that there was a 2900 per cent increase in searches linked to Lakshadweep in the last couple of days.

2900% increase in searches to Lakshadweep in last 3-4 days ! — Aloke Bajpai (@alokebajpai) January 8, 2024

Alliance Air has all its Kochi-Agatti flights sold out until March.

Cordelia Cruises, the only cruise liner that has been ferrying Indians to Lakshadweep since 2021, has also seen a rise in demand. After PM Modi’s visit, the company has seen a 2,500 per cent increase in booking queries, reports Travel Trade Journal .

The cruises sail from Mumbai, Goa and Kochi and over 80,000 travellers visit the island via these ships every year. Since 2021, over 2 lakh Indians have vacationed on Cordelia Cruises.

“We are thrilled about the growing interest in Lakshadweep; we are committed to being an integral part of its growth story… We’ve witnessed a remarkable interest for Lakshadweep cruises, particularly the four-night and five-night itineraries from Mumbai, which echoes the public’s enthusiasm for exploring this idyllic destination,” Jurgen Bailom, President and CEO of Waterways Leisure Tourism Pvt Ltd, Cordelia Cruises, was quoted as saying Travel Trade Journal .

The fear of over-tourism

The Lakshadweep administration has taken measures amid the rising demand to make the trip easier for visitors. It has shifted the mandatory permit online and lifted restrictions on tourists in some areas, reports The Times of India . Earlier the process was longer but now the online permit ensures it is issued in two days.

Lakshadweep has prohibition but some parts of tourist areas are exempted and liquor is sold there.

But locals fear overtourism. Of 36 islands, 11 are inhabited and only four to five are open to tourists. “There are only 405 islands which are used for tourism. They cannot hold up more than 200 tourists at any given time. So, I don’t understand what purpose will upping the tourist influx serve,” a local hotel owner Abdul Rehman told The Quint .

Lakshadweep currently has the infrastructure to serve its 60,000-odd residents and a handful of tourists. In 2021, 13,500 tourists visited the island and 22,800 the following year. But that number is expected to surge and the expected influx will need an overhaul.

But Lakshadweep administrator Praful Patel said the administration was not worried about the inflow of tourists, as the island had sufficient infrastructure to handle them. He said that more resorts and villas were constructed on some islands.

“This will help with accommodation. We have received direction on the development of tourism, and we are working on that. Some islands are strategically important so to keep a check on that, the system that is there [of taking online permits> if it continues, then there shouldn’t be an issue…” Patel told News18.com.

During his visit to Lakshadweep on 2 January, the PM had said the Union Territory was “full of many possibilities” and had asserted the Union government was “working with full commitment for the development of the entire Lakshadweep, including Agatti”.

With inputs from agencies

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Major projects on anvil to put Lakshadweep on global tourism map

From more flights to lakshadweep to airport expansion and infrastructural development, here's all that the government has planned.

Lakshadweep islands, India’s untapped tourism potential , is all set to get a major makeover with a number of big projects in the pipeline.

As the first step toward bringing more tourists to the islands, the administration is improving the connectivity. Fly19 and Spice Jet have already got the necessary clearances for flight operations to Agatti Island.

A team from Indigo airlines held meetings with the island administration on Wednesday, expressing their interest in starting flights to the island. According to administration sources, Fly19 will commence its operations by the end of this month.

At present, only Alliance airlines has a single daily flight to Agatti Island, with two trips on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Apart from the flight, there is only one ship doing the service between Kochi and Kavaratti in a week.

As more airlines line up to start operations, the Agatti Island airport is going for a major expansion. According to an official, construction major L&T has been given the contract for the Rs 4,500 crore expansion works where the runway will be extended to 2,800 meters.

Apart from Agatti, another Greenfield airport will be coming up at Minicoy Island, one which lies next to the Maldives.

For the Agatti airport expansion, private lands will be acquired and also a sizeable chunk of sea floor will be reclaimed.

Once the connectivity part is being worked upon, the next step is to provide more rooms for the visiting tourists.

Tata Group had already proposed three major Taj resorts on three islands – Suheli, Minicoy and Kadmat. Of these, Suheli and Kadmat have already been approved by the district administration. Taj Hotels and Resorts will be building Lagoon Villas, the first of its kind in India and land villas. Each of these properties will have more than 100 rooms.

“All these projects have been cleared only after a proper Environment Impact Assessment. We have very strict guidelines regarding development projects in the Islands and no project will be cleared without an EIA,” K K Idrees Babu, Marine Biologist attached to the Department of Science and Technology, who leads the coastal ecosystem conservation projects in the Islands, told PTI.

He said the rules stipulated under the Integrated Island Management Plan are strictly followed.

He said the lagoon villas in the Maldives were “bad models” to follow and whatever wrong that they had done, which caused considerable damage to the coastal ecosystem in those areas, has been avoided here.

“We have done a proper EIA and the lagoon villas are planned without any such adverse impacts to the environment. Once completed, these villas will be an ideal case study for the rest of the world,” Babu said.

UCK Thangal, a senior politician and former Chief Counsellor of Kavaratti, welcomed the tourism projects but said there was no consultation with the people of the island when these projects were planned.

“People have no role in the works going on in the island. The Panchayat governing body in Kavaratti is defunct for more than a year. People who do not know the history or culture of the Islands are now making the decisions,” Thangal, who was the closest associate of the 10 time MP of Lakshadweep, PM Sayed, said.

“We are thankful to the Prime Minister for the new tourism projects in the islands as it can bring employment for the youth. But we demand that the public should be consulted and their opinions should be taken into account before finalising any project,” the present MP of Lakshadweep, Mohammed Faizal Padippura of NCP, told PTI.

He said the present administrator has even kept the MP out of the loops and has alienated the islanders from the developmental activities in the Islands.

“The administration has been trying to snatch the land of the locals that has been in their possession prior to independence. Now we are fighting that in court,” Faizal said.

Generally, the public are welcoming tourism projects but demand that it should be sustainable and restricted tourism activity.

“We have our own culture and we cannot accept any project that can compromise our culture,” Hashim, a local fisherman said.

Apart from the major projects mentioned earlier, the Lakshadeep administration is also coming up with a smart city project and two city centres with five star hotels to be built in Agatti and Kavaratti.

Kavaratti will also get a ‘Tent City’ which will have tent accommodations on the coastline. These tents can be dismantled and set up in different locations, a senior officer from the administration who does not want to be quoted said.

He said nine of the major tourism projects in the island will have concrete construction and said all structures will be eco- friendly.

He also said certain areas in each of the inhabited islands serve liquor to tourists now and the prohibition policy may be further opened up as tourism gathers momentum in the Islands.

India plans to project the island archipelago as an alternative to the Maldives for tourists.

A diplomatic row erupted between India and the Maldives over the derogatory comments made by some Deputy Ministers of the island nation on social media platforms against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India. Modi visited Lakshadweep in January.

India has also been a consistent and significant contributor to the tourism industry of the Maldives.

The number of Indian visitors was more than 2.4 lakh in 2022 while over 2.11 lakh Indians flew to the Maldives in 2021.

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Discover the hidden gems: A comprehensive guide to Lakshadweep

Whether you're a beach bum, water sports enthusiast, or a nature lover, lakshadweep has something for everyone. here are 5 things you should do while paying a visit to lakshadweep..

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PLANNING YOUR TRIP

• Getting There: Lakshadweep is only accessible by air or sea. The only airport is on Agatti Island, and there are regular flights from Kochi and Bangalore. You can also take a ferry from Kochi, which takes about 18–20 hours
• Permits: All tourists need a special permit to visit Lakshadweep, which can be obtained online or through the Lakshadweep Tourism Department
• Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Lakshadweep is between October and March, when the weather is pleasant and sunny
• Accommodation: There are a limited number of resorts and guesthouses in Lakshadweep, so it's important to book your accommodation well in advance.

Recently, I had the opportunity to be among the people of Lakshadweep. I am still in awe of the stunning beauty of its islands and the incredible warmth of its people. I had the opportunity to interact with people in Agatti, Bangaram and Kavaratti. I thank the people of theâ€æ pic.twitter.com/tYW5Cvgi8N — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 4, 2024

MUST-VISIT PLACES

Things to do.

• Water Sports: Lakshadweep is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. You can go swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and windsurfing
• Ayurveda: Lakshadweep is home to several Ayurvedic resorts and spas that offer traditional treatments for various ailments
• Birdwatching: Lakshadweep is a haven for birdwatchers, with over 100 species of birds found on the islands
• Island Hopping: With its numerous islands, Lakshadweep is perfect for island hopping. You can hire a boat and explore the different islands at your own pace
• Relaxing on the Beach: No trip to Lakshadweep would be complete without relaxing on the beach. Soak up the sun, listen to the waves, and let your worries melt away

TIPS FOR A HASSLE-FREE VACATION

• Pack light as there are limited shopping options on the islands
• Carry your sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses as they can be expensive on the islands
• Lakshadweep is a plastic-free zone, so avoid bringing plastic bags or bottles.

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Tourist Packages

“foreign nationals, only with “tourist visa” will be permitted to lakshadweep islands”.

LAKSHADWEEP A PANORAMIC VIEW

One of world’s most spectacular tropical island systems, Lakshadweep is tucked away at 220-440Kms off the Kerala Coast. The islands offer a precious heritage of ecology and culture. The unique feature of the Islands is its coral reef, making it a pristine leisure spot to come back to. 4200 sq. kms. of lagoon, rich in marine wealth, is spread over 36 islands in an area of 32 sq. kms. The underwater view at Lakshadweep is kaleidoscopic and breathtaking. The lagoon offers excellent potential for water sports like swimming, wind-surfing, diving, snorkeling and kayaking. No wonder, Lakshadweep is fast becoming India’s one of its kind Adventure sport – Nature Tourism location. Each island is fringed by snow white coral sands. The crystal clear water and the abundant marine life enhance the beauty of these islands. Against the vast expanse of the blue sea, the island look like emeralds. The huge shallow calm lagoon on one side with wall like reef made of marine live coral boulders blocks the incoming swells of the outer sea. The islands are linked to the mainland by: – ship, helicopter, Indian Airlines, Kingfisher Airlines and mechanized sailing wooden vessels. In all the islands, elaborate infrastructure is in place to meet the needs of tourists.

Lakshadweep was given the National Eco-Tourism Award 1997. For Booking and More details about the packages VISIT SAMUDRAM WEBSITE

LAKSHADWEEP SAMUDRAM

(BY M.V KAVARATTI)

Lakshadweep Samudram is a Five-days cruise to visit the islands of Kavaratti, Kalpeni and Minicoy by ship- M.V Kavaratti. The island tour is organized during the day with lunch and refreshments ashore. Nights are spent on board the ship. M.V Kavaratti has 150 Diamond class accommodations. Swimming, snorkeling and other water sports are arranged during the day’ tour. Children from 1 year and above up to 10 years will be treated as child.

SWAYING PALM PACKAGE

(M.V. KAVARATTI/ M.V. ARABIAN SEA/ M.V LASHADWEEP SEA/ M.V. AMINDIVI/ M.V. MINICOY)

Swaying Palm is a six / seven days tour to Minicoy.Tourists are accommodated in exclusive A/c cottages and other individual cottages built on the beachfront. Journey is by M.V Arabian sea and M.V Lakshadweep sea, M.V. Minicoy and M.V. Amindivi , M.V Kavaratti.Tariff for the cottages as under.

MARINE WEALTH AWARENESS PROGRAMME

(KADMAT ISLAND BY FLIGHT Via Agatti Island)

Marine Wealth Awareness Programme covers a 4 -7 dayspackage to Kadmat to experience the richness and beauty of marine life. One can spend 2-5 fun filled days on the island, Swimming, Snorkeling and Kayaking are included in water sports. A full-fledged water sports institute is functional at Kadmat. The more adventurous can indulge in scuba diving, wind surfing and para sailing. The charges for the package are as under.

TARATASHI PACKAGE

(KAVARATTI ISLAND By Fligh Via Agatti Island)

Taratashi offers a package to visit Kavaratti – the administrative capital of Lakshadweep and a four/five days stay on the island. Swimming, snorkeling, scuba dive lagoon cruise in glass bottomed boat and other water sports are on offer and can make your holiday memorable. The stay on the island is in the tourist huts on beach front.

TENTS IN THINNAKARA

COTTAGES IN BANGARAM

SCUBA DIVE PACKAGE

Lakshadweep has got world’s premier Dive Spots. The Dolphin Dive centre, Kavaratti offers PADI Scuba Diving Experience Programme and PADI Scuba Diving Course. For details please contact our dolphin dive centre, Kavaratti in the Tel. Number: +91- 4896 263649 / 262105 .

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Lakshadweep: Geopolitical Tensions, Tourism Potential, & Path to Sustainable Development

Lakshadweep: Navigating Geopolitical Tensions, Unlocking Tourism Potential, and Paving the Way for Sustainable Development in the Arabian Sea.

Context: Recently, the Maldives government faced backlash from Indian citizens for using derogatory words against Indians and the Indian Prime Minister for visiting Lakshadweep.

Boycott Maldives’ Movement & Turmoil in Indian-Maldivian

• As a result, a large number of Indian social media users started a ‘ boycott Maldives ’ and ‘choose Lakshadweep’ trend.
• The issue turned into a diplomatic row after India lodged a formal complaint against the ministers with the Maldivian government.
• Sensing the gravity of the issue, the Maldivian government sacked the ministers responsible for making derogatory statements against Indians and the Indian Prime Minister.
• However, the sacking did not negate the anger of Indian citizens. Thousands of Indians cancelled their reservations in Maldives and urged their fellow citizens to do the same.
• The Maldivian tourism industry also made a formal apology towards Indians , who constitute the single largest block of tourists to Maldives.

Lakshadweep: Islands, Administration, and Cultural Diversity in the Arabian Sea

• The word Lakshadweep translates t o “one lakh islands” in Malayalam and Sanskrit, though the islands are just one part of the archipelago of no more than a hundred islands.

• The Lieutenant Governor is the head of the UT government. Lakshadweep comes under the jurisdiction of Kerala High Court . 
• Primary Language: Jeseri , which is considered a dialect of Malayalam, is the primary as well as the widely spoken native language in the Union Territory.
• Culturally and ethnically, the inhabitants are similar to Malayalis of Kerala. They have strong resemblance to Mapillas .
• The Minicoy islands are inhabited by the ethnically distinct Mahl people, who are also the inhabitants of Maldives .

Lakshadweep: Geological Wonders and Climate Harmony of the Archipelago

• Location : Lakshadweep islands are the northernmost part of the Lakshadweep–Maldives–Chagos group of islands, which are the exposed tops of a vast undersea mountain range , the Chagos-Lakshadweep Ridge. 
• The Amindivi group, the Laccadive group and the Minicoy atoll together form Lakshadweep. 
• The 200-km-broad  Nine Degree Channel separates Laccadive and Minicoy islands.
• The soil in Lakshadweep was formed due to the disintegration of limestones from the corals and sedimentary rocks due to long exposure.
• Climate : The region experiences tropical maritime climate . There is very little difference between the summer and winter temperatures.

Lakshadweep: Tracing Centuries of Trade, Cultural Encounters & Changing Dynasties

• Location Importance : Due to its location on the principal trade route which connected the  Middle East with Malabar Coast, Ceylon, and Southeast Asia , Lakshadweep played an important role.
• It was a famous trading post which was also visited by Buddhist monk Sanghamitra .
• The Muslim house of  Arakkal and Tipu Sultan have also ruled the territory. After the departure of the British, the Union Territory was formed in 1956.

Lakshadweep: Strategic Gem, Tourism Haven, and Ecological Marvel

• Naval Outpost: Lakshadweep islands can serve as the naval outpost for Indian Naval assets deployed in the Arabian Sea.
• Monitor Smuggling: Lakshadweep has been used as a base for smuggling of arms and narcotics in the country. The area needs to be secured for internal security.
• Tackle Piracy: Lakshadweep can serve as a vantage point to monitor any movement of vessels in the Arabian Sea.
• Shipping Lines: The nine-degree channel near Lakshadweep is the shortest way for ships connecting west Asia and East Asia.
• Strategic Tool: Lakshadweep development can be used by India as a bargaining chip while dealing with China-favouring administration of Maldives.
• Currently, the UT has limited infrastructure to host tourists. There is a lack of world-class hotels and resorts. The connectivity with the mainland is limited.
• With sustained investments, both from the private and public sector , the UT has the potential to become one of the go-to tourist destinations in India.
• To promote tourists, liquor sales have now been permitted at designated locations with the approval of the Tourism department.
• Exclusive Economic Zone: The islands’ large Exclusive economic Zone has significant fishery and mineral resources which are of immense economic importance. 
• Deep Sea Mining: The deep waters surrounding Lakshadweep islands are rich in precious metals such as cobalt, nickel, copper etc.
• Solar energy: With large open seas, Lakshadweep can be a good stop for setting up floating solar energy generation units.
• Off-shore Wind Energy: Due to monsoonal winds, Lakshadweep has the potential for setting up off-shore wind plants.
• Wave Energy: Wave energy, which can be harnessed from the motion of the waves, can provide energy options in lakshadweep.
• Lakshadweep: Celebrating the Unique Flora and Fauna of the Coral Isles
• Coral Ecosystem: Coral ecosystem in Lakshadweep makes it one of the main undersea biodiverse regions in the country.
• Biodiversity: Apart from coral ecosystems, lakshadweep is known for its overground flora and fauna. These species are unique to the islands. There is recorded evidence of  400 species of plants, 101 species of birds and 603 species of marine fishes.

Lakshadweep’s Challenges: Balancing Preservation, Accessibility, and Sustainable Development

• Rising Human Footprint: Rising human footprints are likely to have problems such as generation of waste and pollution on the islands.
• Fragile Ecology: Lakshadweep is an ecologically fragile region which cannot handle huge tourist influx due to limited space and sensitive surroundings.
• High Transport Cost: Presently, there are only two ways to reach Lakshadweep – by flight or by ship. The cost of transport from other parts of India is very high.
• Opposition from People: Local residents are open for tourists to visit the islands due to conservative views, dictated by their religious belief. This is also a reason for limited alcohol allowance on the islands.
• Shortage of Resources: Lakshadweep does not have enough resources such as food, water, electricity etc to handle tourist influx.
• Lack of Infrastructure: The islands suffer from limited infrastructure such as transport, hospitals, schools etc that are needed for its development.

Lakshadweep’s Path Ahead: Building Infrastructure and Embracing Sustainable Tourism Development

• Creation of Infrastructure: Lakshadweep has the potential to become a major tourist attraction . But before that, there is an urgent need to improve the basic infrastructure needed for outsiders to settle and tourists to visit.
• Sustainable Development: The islands need sustainable development that creates a tourism environment without exploiting the environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is lakshadweep located, which are the islands that are part of lakshadweep, what is the tourism potential of lakshadweep, who are the natives of lakshadweep, what is the strategic importance of lakshadweep.

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Promoting Domestic Tourism: Sitharaman Announces Development Plan for Lakshadweep in Budget2024

Updated February 1st, 2024 at 15:56 IST

To address fervour for domestic tourism, projects for port connectivity, tourism infra & amenities will be taken on our islands including Lakshadweep: FM

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Budget 2024: In a major push to domestic tourism, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced development projects for Lakshadweep during the interim budget being presented on Thursday, February 1. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said projects for port connectivity, tourism infrastructure and amenities will be taken up "on our islands, including Lakshadweep" to address the "emerging fervour" for domestic tourism in the country.

"To address fervour for domestic tourism, projects for port connectivity, tourism infra & amenities will be taken on our islands including Lakshadweep," said Sitharaman in the Parliament. While presenting the interim Union Budget , she also said "our economic strength has made the country an attractive destination for business and conference tourism".

The mention of Lakshadweep by the finance minister is significant because Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited the island on January 4. He had tried snorkelling and said Lakshadweep has to be on the list of visit for those who wish to embrace the adventurer in them.

A row erupted on social media when a minister and some other leaders in the Maldives used derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Modi after he posted a video of him on a pristine beach in Lakshadweep.

Following this, several Indians and tour operators cancelled their plans to visit the Maldives, which has tilted towards China and away from India under its new President Mohamed Muizzu.

Sitharaman, in her budget speech, said the Indian middle class also now "aspires to travel and explore". Tourism, including spiritual tourism, has tremendous opportunities for local entrepreneurship, she added.

"States will be encouraged to take up comprehensive development of iconic tourist centres, branding and marketing them at global scale. A framework for rating of the centres based on quality of facilities and services will be established," the finance minister said.

(With agency inputs) 

Published February 1st, 2024 at 11:57 IST

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The holiday packages drawn up by SPORTS, while providing the tourist with a memorable experience, protect the environment and do not upset the delicate balance between man and nature. In recognition of the Lakshadweep Administration’s policy and the projects of the SPORTS that helped to preserve the ecology of the island and create environmental awareness while promoting tourism, SPORTS has been awarded the 'most eco-friendly organisation' award of the Union Ministry of Tourism for the year 1996-97. Due to dedicated efforts of the SPORTS Lakshadweep islands have gained popularity as a unique tourist destination and as a haven for nature lovers. SPORTS is gearing up to diversify in to what can be termed as fishery tourism wherein marine and fishery resources around the islands will be woven in to tourism. Rich secular and cultural heritage of the islands rarely seen elsewhere in the country will also be promoted.

Samudram Package

Lakshadweep Samudram is a Five-days cruise to visit the islands of Kavaratti, Kalpeni and Minicoy by ship- M.V Kavaratti. The island tour is organized during the day with lunch and refreshments ashore.

Cottages at Bangaram

Bangaram Island, spread over 120 acres is uninhabited except for occasional visitors from the nearby island of Agatti, where the airport is situated. The island is surrounded by a shallow lagoon enclosed by coral reef. It has been ranked among the best getaways of the world.

Tents at Thinnakkara

It is literally like staying on one of your own private islands. Thinnakara island is situated just opposite side of Bangaram island and share the vast lagoon and coralline banks, the actual lagoon area amounts to 125.21 Sq kms.

Kadmat Island Resort

It is a package to Kadmat for experiencing the richness and beauty of marine life. One can spend fun filled days on the island, Swimming, Snorkeling and Kayaking are included in water sports. Boat connectivity to Kadmat is available only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Kavaratti Island Resort

This package offers a package to visit Kavaratti - the administrative capital of Lakshadweep. Swimming, snorkeling, scuba dive lagoon cruise in glass bottomed boat and other water sports are on offer and can make your holiday memorable.

Scuba diving

All diving equipment will be provided. Swimming skills and a doctor's certificate declaring the candidate fit for diving are mandatory. The minimum age to undergo the diving course is 14 years.

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HDFC becomes first private bank to open branch in Lakshadweep

Private lender hdfc bank opened a branch at kavaratti island in lakshadweep, making it the only private sector bank to have a branch in the union territory..

Private lender HDFC Bank opened a branch at Kavaratti Island in Lakshadweep, making it the only private sector bank to have a branch in the Union Territory. This branch is aimed at upgrading the banking infrastructure in the Union Territory by offering a wide range of services with a focus on personal banking, and digital banking which also includes customised digital solutions including QR-based transaction to retailers.

HDFC Bank has branches in the cold climes of Kashmir, the southern tip of Kanyakumari and now the island of Lakshadweep - a prominent tourist place. "This reaffirms our commitment to serving customers wherever they in an extremely convenient fashion," said S Sampathkumar, Group Head- Retail Branch Banking, HDFC Bank.

"We look forward to serving the financial needs of individuals, families, and businesses in Lakshadweep and becoming a trusted partner in their financial journey and contributing to the overall development of the island," said S Sampathkumar. As of December 31, 2023, the HDFC Bank's distribution network was at 8,091 branches and 20,688 ATMs across 3,872 cities or towns as against 7,183 branches and 19,007 ATMs across 3,552 cities or towns as of December 31, 2022.

About 52 per cent of its branches are in semi-urban and rural areas. In addition, it has 15,053 business correspondents, which are primarily manned by Common Service Centres (CSC). (ANI)

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Maldivian tourism body to hold roadshow in multiple Indian cities amid strained ties

Maldivian tourism body said they will hold roadshows in india to woo tourists back amid strain in india-maldives diplomatic ties..

The Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO), who met Indian High Commissioner Munu Mahawar in Male, said they intend to forge close collaboration with the Indian High Commission in the Maldives and also facilitate influencer and media familiarisation trips to once again bring back the tourism sector, which recently saw a significant dip. 

"In this trajectory, plans are currently underway to launch comprehensive road shows across key Indian cities and to facilitate influencer and media familiarisation trips to the Maldives in the upcoming months," a local media news outlet quoted a Maldivian tourism body as saying.

Further, while calling India a crucial tourist market for the Maldives, MATATO added that they look forward to partnering with prominent travel associations and industry stakeholders across India to further promote the Maldives as a premier travel destination.

It is pertinent to note that the Maldivian tourism ministry has indicated a significant drop in the number of Indian tourists visiting the country. Pertinently, this comes after a full-blown backlash the Maldives received after three of its officials extended derogatory remarks against PM Narendra Modi during his visit to the Lakshadweep Islands, situated on India's west coast, on January 6. 

The statement also triggered a wave of outrage, with prominent personalities across various fields in India calling for people to visit Lakshadweep instead of the Maldives.

Significantly, according to the statistics by the Maldives' Ministry of Tourism, there has been a significant drop in the number of Indian tourists visiting the country. This year, as of April 10, 37,417 Indian tourists visited the island nation. China (71,995) continued to lead the table, followed by the United Kingdom (66,999), Russia (66,803), Italy (61,379), and Germany (52,256). READ MORE |  PM Modi wishes Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on Eid-ul-Fitr amid frosty relations

​READ MORE |  Maldives's ex-minister disdains Indian flag in latest 'India-out' campaign, apologises after outrage  

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