Why Are Indians Cancelling Trips To Turkey & Azerbaijan?

Following recent geopolitical tensions and widespread public outrage in India over Turkey and Azerbaijan's perceived support for Pakistan, travel booking platforms have indeed registered a significant surge in cancellations for trips to these two nations. This backlash stems from their stance during a recent conflict between India and Pakistan, specifically after a terror attack in Indian-administered Kashmir and India's subsequent military actions (Operation Sindoor).

Why Are Indians Cancelling Trips To Turkey & Azerbaijan?

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Here's A Detailed Breakdown Of The Boycott's Impact:

1. Sharp Increase In Cancellations and Drop In Bookings:

a) Dramatic Figures: Major Indian travel platforms like MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip, EaseMyTrip, and ixigo have reported drastic changes in travel patterns. 

• MakeMyTrip stated a 60% drop in bookings for Turkey and Azerbaijan, alongside a 250% surge in cancellations within a single week.

• Cleartrip reported a 260% jump in cancellations.

• EaseMyTrip noted a 22% increase in cancellations for Turkey and a 30% rise for Azerbaijan.

b) Suspension of Services: Some platforms have taken even stronger measures. 

• Ixigo, for instance, has suspended all flight and hotel bookings for Turkey, Azerbaijan, and even China, citing a "Nation First, Business Later" patriotic stance.

• MakeMyTrip has discontinued all promotions and offers for travel to these destinations.

• Go Homestays, an Indian travel brand, has ended its partnership with Turkish Airlines.

2. Public Outrage And Calls For Boycott:

a) Social Media Campaign: Since early May, hashtags and posts calling for a travel boycott have trended across Indian social media platforms. This digital campaign has mobilized a broad spectrum of the public, urging Indians to avoid these countries as a form of protest.

b) National Sentiment: The support extended by Turkey and Azerbaijan to Pakistan is widely perceived in India as a direct affront to national sentiment, especially given India's past humanitarian aid to Turkey following its devastating earthquake.

c) Political and Business Endorsement: The boycott calls have been echoed by senior political leaders and even some prominent industrialists, further amplifying the movement. Figures like industrialist Harsh Goenka have urged Indians to redirect their tourism spending away from Turkey and Azerbaijan.

3. Reasons For The Boycott:

a) Support for Pakistan: Turkey and Azerbaijan publicly expressed support for Pakistan during the recent India-Pakistan conflict. 

• Turkey, a Muslim-majority nation, has historically aligned with Pakistan on the Kashmir dispute and offered unambiguous political and even military support (including reports of Turkish-origin drones being used by Pakistan).

• Azerbaijan condemned India's attacks against Pakistan, stating they had "killed and injured several civilians."

b) Perceived Betrayal: Many Indians feel a sense of betrayal, especially from Turkey, given India's significant support during the 2023 earthquake.

4. Impact On Tourism And Economy:

a) Significant Revenue Loss: Indian tourists contributed substantially to the economies of Turkey and Azerbaijan in recent years. In 2024 alone, around 3.3 lakh Indians visited Turkey (spending an estimated $350-400 million), and 2.4 lakh visited Azerbaijan. This surge was due to improved air connectivity and the perception of these destinations offering a "European feel at a fraction of the price." The current cancellations represent a considerable loss of revenue for their tourism sectors.

b) Shift to Alternative Destinations: As a result of the boycott, Indian travelers are now opting for alternative destinations. Travel companies report a shift in preference towards countries like: 

• Georgia

• Serbia

• Greece

• Thailand

• Vietnam

• Russia

• Hungary

• Czech Republic

• Germany

• Egypt

• Croatia

• Morocco

• Armenia

• Kazakhstan

• Dubai

• Bali

c) Broader Economic Implications: The boycott extends beyond tourism. There are calls to boycott Turkish goods (like apples and marble) and even the suspension of agreements for academic and research collaborations between Indian and Turkish educational institutions. Indian authorities have also revoked the security clearance of Turkish firm Celebi Hava Servisi AS, ending its operations at Indian airports, citing national security concerns.

5. Industry Response And Advisories:

a) Travel booking platforms are not only processing cancellations but also issuing advisories to their customers. EaseMyTrip and Cleartrip have urged customers to defer non-essential travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan, citing "security risks and political tensions."

b) The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) and the Travel Agents' Federation of India (TAFI) have also announced they would no longer promote or sell packages to Turkey and Azerbaijan.

In conclusion, the widespread public outrage in India over Turkey and Azerbaijan's support for Pakistan has triggered a significant and immediate negative impact on their tourism sectors, characterized by a sharp rise in travel cancellations and a dramatic drop in new bookings. This movement highlights how geopolitical stances can directly influence people-to-people ties and economic interactions, leading to tangible consequences for the affected nations.