Boycott Trend: Indian Travelers Shun Turkey and Azerbaijan After Pakistan Support
Boycott Backlash: Indian Travelers Turn Away from Turkey and Azerbaijan
There’s a growing wave of backlash in India against Turkey and Azerbaijan following their support for Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. This sentiment is translating into a significant drop in travel bookings from Indians to these countries, with many opting to cancel existing trips and travel agencies suspending new bookings.
Tourism Takes a Hit
Popular destinations like Turkey and Azerbaijan are seeing a sharp decline in Indian tourists. Online travel booking platforms like MakeMyTrip report a 60% drop in bookings for these countries over the past week, coupled with a staggering 250% surge in cancellations. EaseMyTrip, another major player in the travel industry, has witnessed a 22% cancellation rate for Turkey and 30% for Azerbaijan in the same period.
To discourage travel to these countries, many platforms have halted promotions and offers, while others are advising against non-essential travel.
Travel Agencies Join the Boycott
Several travel booking services, including Ixigo and Cox & Kings, have gone a step further and entirely suspended new bookings for Turkey and Azerbaijan. Ixigo, in a statement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), declared, “In solidarity with our nation, ixigo is suspending flight and hotel bookings for Turkey, Azerbaijan, and China. Because when it comes to Bharat, we don’t think twice. Jai Hind.”
Travomint has also taken a strong stance, halting ticket sales for airlines from these countries and stating that it will not engage in any future partnerships with entities from Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Impact on the Tourism Industry
The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has actively advocated for a travel boycott of Turkey and Azerbaijan, coordinating with travel operators and other stakeholders to enforce this stance. This boycott movement is expected to significantly impact the tourism industry in both countries.
Data reveals that Turkey and Azerbaijan had been experiencing a surge in Indian tourists in recent years. Turkey, for instance, welcomed 3.31 lakh Indian nationals in 2024, a substantial increase from 2.74 lakh in 2023. Azerbaijan also witnessed a notable rise in Indian visitors, with 2.44 lakh tourists in 2024 compared to 1.17 lakh in 2023.
These figures highlight the importance of the Indian market for the tourism sectors of Turkey and Azerbaijan. The boycott movement, driven by political tensions, poses a serious threat to this burgeoning tourism relationship.
Looking Ahead
The future of Indian travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan remains uncertain. The intensity of the boycott and its long-term impact will depend on the evolving political situation and the willingness of both sides to find a resolution.
