Why Are Indians Cancelling Trips to Turkey, Azerbaijan?

Bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan have dropped sharply after these countries supported Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.

Boycott Movement Gains Momentum

Indian tourists are cancelling their trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan. The reason? Both countries supported Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. Leading travel platforms like MakeMyTrip and EaseMyTrip reported a 60% drop in bookings and a 250% increase in cancellations over the past week.

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Tourism Impacted by Political Support

Turkey and Azerbaijan openly supported Pakistan after India’s air strikes on terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This sparked a call for a boycott from Indian travellers, which has had a noticeable effect on tourism to these countries.

Indian Tourists Show Strong Sentiment

A MakeMyTrip spokesperson stated that many Indian tourists are cancelling their trips. The company has suspended all promotions to Turkey and Azerbaijan. The spokesperson added,

“We stand with our nation and our armed forces. We advise against non-essential travel to these countries.”

Travel Agents React

Jyoti Mayal, former president of the Travel Agents Association of India, confirmed that up to 50% of bookings for Turkey and Azerbaijan have been cancelled. She said,

“We have supported these countries in the tourism sector, but we cannot stand by them after their actions against India.”

EaseMyTrip Joins BoycottEaseMyTrip has also stopped promoting travel to these nations. Co-founder Prashant Pitti said,

“We prioritize national interest over business. Given the ongoing conflict and these countries’ support for Pakistan, we discourage travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan.”

Economic Impact on Both Countries

Tourism is vital to both Turkey and Azerbaijan. In 2024, Indian tourists made up a significant portion of their visitors. Around 330,000 Indians visited Turkey, and over 240,000 visited Azerbaijan. The cancellations could cause a substantial economic loss, especially since Indian tourists spent an estimated $350-400 million in Turkey in 2023.

Boycott Calls Intensify

The boycott intensified after the Pahalgam terror attack, which led to Operation Sindoor. Turkey supported Pakistan’s proposal for an international investigation into the attack, fueling anger among Indian citizens. Many feel Turkey and Azerbaijan’s alignment with Pakistan has damaged their relations with India.

Shifting Travel Preferences

In light of the boycott, Indian tourists are reconsidering their travel plans. Many are choosing destinations that better align with their national interests. The drop in tourism to Turkey and Azerbaijan serves as a reminder of the power of political actions on travel decisions.