Katrina Kaif named Maldives Global Ambassador

Bollywood star Katrina Kaif has been appointed as the Global Brand Ambassador for the Maldives, a move aimed at boosting tourism to the island nation. The Maldives National Tourist Board announced the news on their official social media account, calling her the face of the "Sunny Side of Life."

This appointment comes as part of efforts to promote the Maldives as a top travel destination globally. The country hopes that Katrina’s popularity will attract more visitors, especially after a recent dip in Indian tourists due to diplomatic tensions between India and the Maldives.

Last year, relations between New Delhi and Male were strained after three Maldivian deputy ministers made offensive remarks about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi following his visit to the Lakshadweep islands. This led to their suspension and a sharp decline of 33 percent in Indian tourist arrivals.

Despite the conflict, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has since sought to improve ties with India, asking for debt relief and affirming that India remains the country’s “closest ally.”

On the entertainment front, Katrina was last seen in Merry Christmas, directed by Sriram Raghavan, starring alongside Vijay Sethupathi. She has several upcoming projects, including Jee Le Zara, directed by Farhan Akhtar, which also features stars Alia Bhatt and Priyanka Chopra.

With Katrina Kaif as its ambassador, the Maldives hopes to recover its tourism numbers and strengthen its global image as a paradise destination.