Online travel aggregator EaseMyTrip has introduced discount codes NATIONFIRST and BHARATFIRST for its customers amidst the India-Maldives row. Nishant Pitti, CEO and co-founder of EaseMyTrip, announced on X platform, “Now use discount codes NATIONFIRST or BHARATFIRST @EaseMyTrip to avail better discounts.” He also shared screenshots of flights available at a discounted price of Rs 600-Rs 700 for flights from Delhi to Bengaluru and Mumbai when these codes are used.
The introduction of these discount codes can be seen as a way for the company to promote domestic tourism, especially amid calls from various quarters to boycott the Maldives as a travel destination following a diplomatic row between the two nations.
The Maldives has faced backlash after three ministers from its cabinet made derogatory comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi following his visit to Lakshadweep last week.
Many netizens on social media have claimed to have cancelled their trips to the Maldives due to the ongoing row, with the hashtag “Boycott Maldives” trending.
In support of the “boycott campaign,” EaseMyTrip has suspended all flight bookings to the Maldives on its website.
Meanwhile, the Maldivian government has suspended three of its deputy ministers for their criticism of Modi’s post on X, which implied that Lakshadweep could be an alternative tourist destination to the Maldives.
The Maldivian foreign ministry has stated that the government is aware of derogatory remarks made on social media platforms and that these personal views do not represent the country’s position.
Amidst the row, prominent personalities such as Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, and Sachin Tendulkar have encouraged people to explore “Indian islands” and coastal destinations.
Source: PTI
