Travel Bookings to Turkey, Azerbaijan Plunge Amid India Boycott Calls
Travel bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan drop sharply as Indians boycott these countries over their support for Pakistan during recent India-Pakistan tensions.
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Travel reservations to Turkey and Azerbaijan have seen a marked decline following widespread public appeals in India to boycott these countries. The calls come in reaction to Turkey and Azerbaijan's support for Pakistan during recent India-Pakistan tensions.
Leading online travel agencies have reported a surge in cancellations and a significant decrease in new bookings for these destinations. MakeMyTrip data indicates a 60% drop in bookings, alongside a 250 per cent rise in cancellations over the past week. Cleartrip experienced an increase of 260 per cent in cancellations during the same period.
The recent growth in Indian tourism to Turkey and Azerbaijan was supported by improved air connectivity. IndiGo's launch of direct flights to Istanbul in 2019 and to Baku in 2023 played a key role in boosting travel between these countries.
In response to the evolving situation, travel platforms have issued advisories, suspended package tours, and halted new bookings to these locations. A spokesperson for MakeMyTrip stated, "Out of respect for national sentiment and support for the armed forces, we advise postponing all non-essential travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan. We have also withdrawn all promotional offers related to these destinations."
Social media has witnessed widespread campaigns encouraging boycotts of Turkey and Azerbaijan since May 8, triggered by their backing of Pakistan during India's Operation Sindoor, launched in retaliation for the terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
EaseMyTrip’s cofounder, Rikant Pittie, noted cancellations increased by 22 per cent for Turkey and 30 per cent for Azerbaijan. He observed that travelers are shifting preferences to alternative locations like Georgia, Serbia, Greece, Thailand, and Vietnam. "While uncertainty persists around travel to these two countries, demand for other international destinations remains stable," Pittie said, urging travelers to consult official sources before making plans.
Ixigo has taken the step of suspending all flight and hotel bookings for Turkey, Azerbaijan, and China. Co-founders Aloke Bajpai and Rajnish Kumar emphasized, "Respecting the collective sentiments of Indian citizens, we have stopped bookings to these countries. Our approach is guided by responsibility and national interest."
Despite public pressure, some airline officials have cautioned against reducing direct flights from India to Turkey and Azerbaijan. They pointed out that cutting connectivity might benefit Gulf-based carriers who dominate much of the India-Europe transit market. This shift could lead to longer travel times and higher costs for Indian passengers, a key demographic for these routes.
