Despite the recent political upheaval in the Maldives, it is business as usual for this island-nation. The country is wooing Bollywood to capture the nation's picture postcard beauty on film.
Days after a change of President threw the island-nation into turmoil, the Maldivian High Commissioner to India, Mr Abdul Azeez Yoosuf, told Business Line in an exclusive interview that the Maldivians were developing their islands as studios to attract Bollywood film producers and directors.
“Long years ago, Hindi film
Targeting Mumbai elite
Mumbai seems to be the focus for another reason as well — to attract its elite to spend some leisure time in the Maldives. “In Mumbai, we have much more potential. It is a question of promoting the Maldives for the Mumbai elite not only among the business community but also among the elite who would go as leisure tourists,” the envoy added.
This step makes sense as, according to the envoy, the tourism industry in the Maldives is well protected. “We have developed hotels in uninhabited islands. You only find tourists and hotel staff staying there,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Taj Group, which was the first international chain to set up shop in the Maldives as far back as 1982, is not facing too many problems post the political turmoil there. “More than 40 per cent of our guests are return visitors and we are still welcoming them. There is a possibility that a first time traveller may rethink,” said Taj Exotica Resort General Manager, Mr Girish Sehgal.