The media worldwide actively discuss the «Indian Maldives», the Lakshadweep Islands. In this article, we are going to explore what the Lakshadweep Islands are like, whether they can really replace the Maldives, and whether it is possible to actively develop tourism there.
The media worldwide actively discuss the «Indian Maldives», the Lakshadweep Islands. The Indian government urges its citizens to go there to vacation and boycott the real Maldives. In this article, we are going to explore what the Lakshadweep Islands are like, whether they can really replace the Maldives, and whether it is possible to actively develop tourism there.
At the beginning of January, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi published his photoshoot in Lakshadweep Islands on a social network. The task of this publication was to attract domestic tourists to the islands promoted as «Indian Maldives». The Maldives government strongly reacted to the prime minister’s statements; several government representatives made offensive remarks towards Modi. The conflict resulted in calls upon Indian tourists to boycott the Maldives.
Local media inform that thousands of Indian travellers cancelled their trips to Maldives, and a well-known Indian booking platform, Ease My Trip, declared about ceasing bookings of plane tickets from India to Maldives. According to India Express, some travel agencies in India state that they cancel bookings to Maldives, delete photographs from their websites and recommend travellers to head to the islands of the Indian archipelago Lakshadweep, Andaman Islands, Nicobar Islands, or Sri Lanka.
How Do Lakshadweep Look Like
This situation, widely covered by the media, attracted the attention of not just Indians but of the entire world. Many people first heard about «Indian Maldives» due to the conflict between India and Maldives. As tour operators say, the place is truly beautiful, and nature really reminds of the Maldives’ nature.
In the Arabian Sea, 300 km from Kerala’s coast, lies an archipelago of 36 coral islands with snow-white beaches and coconut groves. Lakshadweep Islands are as magnificent as only a nearly uninhabited tropical paradise could be. Of the 36 islands, only 11 are inhabited, and only some of them are accessible to foreigners. But the main attraction of Lakshadweep Islands is 4,200 sq km of the archipelago’s pristine lagoons, coral reefs, and warm waters.
The islands’ ecosystem is famous for its diversity: there are living corals, a great number of various fish, several species of sharks, turtles, barracudas, rays, sea urchins, and leopard moray eels. Here, one can go diving, fishing, sailing, and surfing. Those who wish to feel like a diver archaeologist can explore the galleon that sank 200 years ago next to one of the islands.
Lakshadweep Islands are similar to Maldives in its coral origin and, consequently, its signature white sand and Bounty-like landscapes. Seasonality is expressed in the same way: monsoon summers and comfortable winters. These are rather big islands, so there are not so many tiny atolls where it’s possible to place secluded resorts in the format of «one hotel per one island». Regarding this format, Lakshadweep is more similar to Seychelles than to Maldives.
What is the Tourism Industry in Lakshadweep Like
However, as experts note, all this beauty is very difficult to access. It’s almost impossible to visit the islands independently, on your own; it’s only possible on condition that accommodation was prebooked and special permits were granted. The main touristy islands in Lakshadweep are Kadmat, Bangaram, Agatti, and Kavaratti. When coming there, don’t expect any of Maldivian luxury. Almost all the hotels are located on Agatti Island; however, these are just several guest houses and bungalow hotels.
There are single hotels in several neighbouring inhabited islands. Still, it’s not the format that tourists might have seen in Maldives, where a resort takes up an entire uninhabited island. Those are indeed small objects in inhabited islands.
How to Get to Lakshadweep Islands
It’s possible to get to the Lakshadweep Islands by ship or plane. Planes fly from Mumbai and Kochi and from Calcutta in the high season. A ship ride takes around 18-20 hours and is available from Kochi. Agatti Island has a small airfield capable of accommodating only narrow-bodied aeroplanes.
Now, only one flight per day arrives here from Kochi. Larger aeroplanes can’t land here because of the landing strip’s insufficient length, which can be expanded only by acquiring additional territory.
Who Is Vacationing in Lakshadweep Islands
The majority of vacationers in the islands are tourists from the Indian mainland. The islands’ existing, relatively small-scale tourist infrastructure is tailored to the inner Indian market. Mass tourism, to say nothing of foreign tourism, is yet out of the question. Local hotels haven’t yet honed reservation arrangements. Many hotels don’t publish publicly available prices and accept reservations via WhatsApp and other messengers. However, Indians are ready to organise tourist reception in this picturesque place.
It Will Take Time and Resources to Develop Tourism in Lakshadweep Islands
The destination has prospects, albeit long-term ones. In terms of international tourism, Lakshadweep Islands are a tabula rasa. In order to achieve the potential of this undoubtedly interesting destination, many land works will have to be fulfilled: expand the airport, build new hotels, and improve logistics between the hotels. Now, the hotels are connected only by ferry communication, whereby only 10 of 36 islands haven’t got wharves. It’s necessary to develop a network of seaplanes or speedboats like it’s done in the Maldives. In a nutshell, the objective of bringing Lakshadweep Islands to the international level is realistic, but it will require years of work and billion-dollar investments, as experts conclude. Today, the islands’ primary source of income is not tourism but growing and processing coconuts. Local crafts and the manufacturing of wooden handicrafts may become a good foundation for the manufacture of souvenirs.
As long as there are only several accommodation options in Lakshadweep Islands, and international tourism is a matter of time, you can easily find a hotel on India’s mainland even today. This country truly has all kinds of attractions one could wish for! Visit a hotel price aggregator, hotelin.com, to find a hotel in any Indian state or keep an eye open for new hotels opened in Lakshadweep Islands. Whichever destination you pick, hotelin.com helps you search quickly and easily. Use filters created for every occasion that suit any demanding traveller; compare prices collected from multiple booking platforms. Don’t waste your time browsing dozens of websites – find it all on hotelin.com!
