With the recent political situation in Maldives, tourists in the island nation have been asked to exercise caution.

The Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed stepped down on Tuesday following weeks of unrest and handed over power to Vice President Mohammed Waheed Hassan Manik. The situation has started to improve.

A spokesperson for the Russian Embassy in Sri Lanka said that 2,000 Russian tourists currently resting in Maldives have nothing to worry about.

Maldives, a small archipelago in the Indian Ocean and tourism is what the Maldivian economy greatly relies on. Since the country has no industries of its own, and lives mainly on the production of souvenirs and clothes, tourism yet can't be a source of comfortable living to all Maldivians. As a result of this, control over tourism services becomes politicized.

Foreign & Commonwealth Office website states (Feb 9, 2012): Avoid all but essential travel to part(s) of country

smarttraveller.gov.au from the Australian Government states: Maldives overall: Exercise normal safety precaustions and for male: Reconsider your need to travel

We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Male at this time due to the current political tensions and risk of unrest and violence. We advise you to exercise normal safety precautions elsewhere in the Maldives, including tourist and resort islands. * * On 6 and 7 February, there were protests in Male that turned violent. Further protests, political unrest and violence could occur in coming days. You should avoid public gatherings and protest, particularly in Male, as they may turn violent.

The international airport at Male was closed temporarily on 7 February but later reopened to normal air traffic. Further disruptions to air services could occur. You should contact your airline or tour operator for latest information on disruptions.

TripAdvisor saw an increase of comments and information requests from travellers:



Mega Maldives Airlines' operations not affected by political unrest in the Maldives

Company's website announces: We would like to advise all our passengers that the political disturbances in Male', the capital island of Maldives is only isolated to a small area of the island and has in no way affected the tourism and travel activities in the country.

As the tourism sector of Maldives operates a one-island, one-resort model, and all airports are in separate islands, airports and resorts are safe and continue to enjoy peace while airlines continue normal operations.

All scheduled operations of Mega Maldives airlines continue normally.