Indian Travelers Cancel Turkey, Azerbaijan Trips Amidst Boycott Calls
A wave of patriotic sentiment in India is leading to a noticeable drop in tourism to Turkey and Azerbaijan. Many Indian travelers are canceling their trips to these countries following online campaigns urging a boycott over their support for Pakistan during the ongoing tensions.
MakeMyTrip, India’s largest travel booking platform, has reported a significant decline in bookings. According to their statement on May 14th, bookings for Azerbaijan and Turkey dropped by 60%, while cancellations surged by a staggering 250% in just one week.
MakeMyTrip Stands in Solidarity
Although MakeMyTrip continues to offer flight bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan, they have taken a strong stance. In a statement, they expressed deep respect for the Indian armed forces and strongly advise against all non-essential travel to these two destinations. They have also discontinued all promotions and offers to discourage tourism to Turkey and Azerbaijan.
EaseMyTrip Follows Suit
EaseMyTrip founder Nishant Pitti echoed these sentiments, calling for a boycott of travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan. He urged people to choose ‘Made in India’ products over Chinese alternatives and emphasized that national interests should take precedence over individual benefits. EaseMyTrip has seen a 22% increase in cancellations to Turkey and over 30% to Azerbaijan since issuing a travel advisory on May 9th.
Impact on Tourism
Despite the current political rift, India remains a crucial market for both Turkey and Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijan Tourism Board reports a significant increase in Indian visitors over the past decade, expecting continued growth. Similarly, Turkey has seen a substantial rise in Indian arrivals.
Boycott Campaign Gains Momentum
Social media in India has been abuzz with discussions on the boycott, with hashtags like #BoycottTurkey, #BoycottAzerbaijan, and #BoycottTurkeyAzerbaijan trending since May 11th. The Shiv Sena party also called for a boycott of Turkey and Azerbaijan following their expressions of solidarity with Pakistan.
The situation highlights the growing influence of public sentiment and social media campaigns on travel decisions, demonstrating the potential impact of political tensions on the tourism industry.
