Indian tourists are rapidly pulling back from trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan, following diplomatic tensions triggered by both countries’ public expressions of support for Pakistan in its recent conflict with India. This shift has caused a ripple effect in the tourism industry, particularly among major Indian travel platforms.
Demand has sharply decreased, according to online travel providers. MakeMyTrip reported a massive 250% jump in cancellations for Turkey and Azerbaijan, along with a 60% dip in new reservations. Likewise, EaseMyTrip registered a 22% cancellation rise for Turkey and 30% for Azerbaijan as travelers pivot to other international options. Destinations like Greece, Georgia, Serbia, Vietnam, and Thailand are now gaining traction among Indian tourists.
The response has not stopped at consumer behavior. Travel booking platform ixigo has decided to suspend all hotel and flight bookings to Turkey, Azerbaijan, and China, indicating a broader reaction to the geopolitical climate.
EaseMyTrip co-founder Nishant Pitti questioned why Indian tourists should help boost the economies of nations that align themselves with Pakistan in such matters. Last year alone, around 287,000 Indian citizens visited Turkey and 243,000 traveled to Azerbaijan, underscoring the potential financial impact of the current boycott.
This trend highlights the strong link between international politics and consumer decision-making. As diplomatic narratives evolve, tourism is becoming one of the first sectors where public sentiment visibly shifts.
