The Maldives’ national tourism office announced on Tuesday, June 10, that Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif will serve as the country’s global brand ambassador, just ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s July visit to the island nation.
With Kaif’s involvement, the Maldives aims to enhance tourism this summer through its Summer Sale Campaign for Visit Maldives.
This initiative is designed to attract visitors from the UK, Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the DACH region, Italy, Poland, Spain, and India during the summer holiday period.
The actress expressed her honor in representing the tourism campaign and appealing to a wider audience. “This partnership is focused on providing the best travel experiences to global audiences, and I’m thrilled to assist in showcasing the unique allure and world-class offerings of this remarkable destination,” she mentioned.
Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and Managing Director of Visit Maldives, stated, “Her lively personality and strong rapport with international audiences make her an ideal ambassador for the Sunny Side of Life, the world’s top destination for the last five consecutive years.”
However, both India and the Maldives found themselves in a diplomatic dispute in January 2024, stemming from tourism-related issues. Several Maldivian deputy ministers and some MPs disparaged PM Modi, calling him a ‘clown’ and ‘terrorist,’ among other insults. This instigated a social media conflict, with Indians—the largest group of tourists in the Maldives—advocating for a boycott of the nation as a holiday choice.
Later that year, both countries reconciled, formalizing several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in October 2024.
