India Seeks Travel Alternatives After Turkey and Azerbaijan Back Pakistan
Indian Travelers Boycott Turkey and Azerbaijan
Tensions between India and Pakistan have spilled over into the tourism sector, with Indian travelers increasingly boycotting trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan. This comes after both countries publicly supported Pakistan in the wake of a recent terror attack in India and a subsequent military operation by Indian forces.
Growing Boycott Calls
The boycott calls have gained traction following Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 people. Turkey and Azerbaijan have both voiced support for Pakistan’s stance on the conflict, with Azerbaijan echoing Pakistan’s position and Turkey backing Pakistan’s demand for an international investigation into the Pahalgam attack. Turkey has also been a supplier of weapons to Pakistan in the past.
Cancellation Surge
Travel agencies in India are reporting a significant drop in bookings for Turkey and Azerbaijan, coupled with a surge in cancellations. MakeMyTrip, a major travel agency, noted a 60% decrease in bookings for these destinations over the past week, accompanied by a staggering 250% increase in cancellations. Similarly, EaseMyTrip, another prominent travel agency, observed a 22% rise in cancellations for Turkey and a 30% rise for Azerbaijan due to the escalating geopolitical tensions.
Shifting Destinations
Travelers are increasingly looking towards alternative destinations. EaseMyTrip CEO Rikant Pittie highlighted that travelers are now opting for countries like Georgia, Serbia, Greece, Thailand, and Vietnam instead.
Industry Stand
The travel industry in India has largely rallied behind the boycott call. Ixigo, a leading travel booking platform, announced a temporary suspension of flight and hotel bookings to Turkey, Azerbaijan, and China. Nishant Pitti, founder and chairman of EaseMyTrip, questioned the morality of supporting the economies of countries that openly back Pakistan. He pointed out that 287,000 Indians traveled to Turkey and 243,000 to Azerbaijan in the previous year.
Subhash Goyal, Chairman of the Tourism Committee at the Indian Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the industry’s commitment to ethical and responsible tourism that aligns with national values. He stated that several tourism associations and industry bodies have declared their solidarity and vowed to prioritize national interests over commercial gains. The Indian Chamber of Commerce joined these organizations in demanding a boycott of Turkey and Azerbaijan, urging the industry to stand against their stance against India’s anti-terrorism efforts.
India-Pakistan Tensions
The current tensions between India and Pakistan escalated following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. India launched Operation Sindoor, a military operation targeting nine locations linked to terrorist activity in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The operation included strikes on camps in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Bahawalpur. Despite the military escalation, India and Pakistan reached a ceasefire “understanding” on May 10.
