Overwater luxury villas in the Maldives are practically empty during their busiest period due to the Iran crisis, which is drastically affecting tourism in the region, with some upscale resorts slashing prices by up to 80%, a TikTok user reports from the Indian Ocean island chain.
Travel blogger Anastasia (@nastya_abroad on TikTok) claims the Maldives has lost about 90% of tourists because of the ongoing war in Iran. As seen in videos showcasing deserted beaches and vacant vacation cottages, she says she was able to rent luxurious overwater suites for only a fraction of the cost because the weather was perfect.
“During the highest possible season, with the most beautiful weather,” Anastasia mentions in one of her posts, “there is almost nobody there.” Her travel videos present these significant discounts as an unexpected positive aspect of the situation brought about by the regional conflict and compare them to the broader consequences of US foreign policy, especially under Donald Trump, for the global economy.
@nastya_abroad Maldives are now 80% cheaper
The posts were met with severe backlash. Critics claimed the influencer was attempting to take advantage of a civilian tragedy by promoting Maldivian vacations at steeply discounted prices. “Only a few hundred kids had to die to let us have cheap villa vacations,” someone wrote sarcastically. “Mission accomplished!” Other people doubted if regular travelers would be the ones enjoying cheaper trips, with one user noting that “only filthy rich people go to the Maldives,” and “Only the rich benefit from it.”
However, not everyone responded negatively. Several followers expressed their sincere concern about these attractive deals. At the same time, another solo traveler said the complete lack of crowds might be why he doesn’t want to spend money on such a trip despite the price reduction. Travel security was also briefly mentioned, with some commenters discussing potential dangers when visiting Dubai en route and an increase in airfares due to fuel prices.
Since the Maldives’ economy greatly relies on tourism, the country usually receives many visitors coming from the Middle East and South Asia, regions whose countries are particularly affected by the ongoing Iranian crisis.
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