India Turkey Tourism: Ongoing India-Pakistan tensions are now impacting tourism. Many Indians are cancelling trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan due to their perceived support for Pakistan. Tour operators report 30% to 80% cancellations in bookings to these countries.

India Turkey Tourism: Indian Travelers Cancel Turkey and Azerbaijan Tours

New Delhi: The rising tension between India and Pakistan is now visibly affecting the global tourism sector. After witnessing a sharp decline in tourist activity in Kashmir due to safety concerns and instability, similar effects are now being felt in international destinations—particularly Turkey and Azerbaijan. However, unlike Kashmir, where fear and unrest are key deterrents, the situation with Turkey and Azerbaijan stems from growing public anger. Many Indians are upset over these countries’ open support for Pakistan, especially in the wake of recent military and political developments. As a result, travelers are cancelling their trips in large numbers, even during the peak summer vacation season.

Travel operators across India have reported widespread tour cancellations. Many operators estimate that between 30% to 80% of their scheduled tours to Turkey and Azerbaijan have now been called off. The cancellations are being driven by public sentiment and an ongoing social media campaign urging travelers to boycott these countries.

More Than Half the Bookings Cancelled

Ravi Gosain, President of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), revealed that an online movement against tourism to Turkey and Azerbaijan has gained momentum following the India-Pakistan conflict. “People are emotionally invested in national interest right now,” Gosain stated. According to several travel agents, 20% to 50% of existing bookings have already been cancelled, and many clients are requesting alternative destinations. The cancellation rate is expected to rise further in the coming days.

Travelers are now opting for nearby countries that offer a similar experience and budget. Destinations such as Georgia and Armenia are witnessing an increase in demand. Additionally, tourists are also exploring popular Asian destinations like Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia, as well as countries in Europe. With Kashmir tourism currently facing a slump due to ongoing conflict, domestic travel is seeing a shift towards Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the North-Eastern states.

Promotional Campaigns Suspended

In light of the growing backlash, several travel platforms have halted promotional campaigns and offers for Turkey and Azerbaijan. Travel website MakeMyTrip has advised Indian tourists to avoid non-essential travel to these destinations. The platform reported a 60% drop in new bookings to both countries within the past week. More significantly, cancellations during the same period spiked by 250%.

EaseMyTrip, another leading travel portal, has publicly urged Indian travelers to boycott Turkey and Azerbaijan. CEO Nishant Pitti pointed out that tourism contributes significantly to both nations’ economies—12% of Turkey’s GDP and 7.6% of Azerbaijan’s, while supporting nearly 10% of jobs. “If these countries are openly backing Pakistan, there’s no reason Indian travelers should contribute to their tourism revenue,” Pitti stated.

India is a Major Tourism Market for Both Nations

Rajan Sehgal, a member of the managing committee of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), confirmed that Turkey and Azerbaijan are seeing mass tour cancellations from India. He noted that agents from across the country have reported cancellation rates between 70% to 80%. Large travel portals are also seeing a 50% drop in activity related to these countries.

In the past seven to eight years, the number of Indian tourists traveling to Turkey has increased over tenfold. Azerbaijan has also seen a fivefold rise in just two to three years. These countries had become favorites due to affordable flights, shorter travel time (just 3.5 to 6 hours from India), and rich cultural experiences at a lower cost than many European or Gulf destinations. However, the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and Pakistan’s air strike threats, followed by both Turkey and Azerbaijan’s open support for Pakistan, have led to widespread public disapproval.

Support from Industry Bodies

The India Chamber of Commerce’s Tourism Committee has also expressed support for the travel operators’ move. Subhash Goyal, the committee’s chairman, emphasized that this boycott is a stand against terrorism and those who support it. “There are many beautiful countries around the world. We urge Indians to choose destinations that support peace and stand with India against extremism and separatism,” he said.

Rising Numbers Now in Decline

Recent data shows a significant rise in Indian tourists visiting Turkey and Azerbaijan over the past year. In 2024, 3.3 lakh (330,000) Indians traveled to Turkey, up from 2.74 lakh (274,000) in 2023. Azerbaijan also saw 2.43 lakh Indian tourists in 2024, compared to 1.17 lakh in 2023. This upward trend is now facing a sharp reversal due to the geopolitical developments.

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