New Delhi: Travel bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan have drastically fallen due to widespread calls for a boycott in response to these countries' support for Pakistan during recent tensions with India. Major travel companies have reported significant cancellations, with MakeMyTrip noting a 60% drop in bookings and a 250% rise in cancellations. Cleartrip reported a staggering 260% increase in cancellations, prompting travel operators to issue advisories and halt bookings to these destinations.
A spokesperson from MakeMyTrip stated they support the sentiment and have ceased promotions for Turkey and Azerbaijan tourism. Since May 8, social media has been flooded with boycott urges following the nations' backing of Pakistan during India's Operation Sindoor, a reaction to a terrorist attack according to report by Times Of India.
Travel alternatives are being sought, with increased cancellations reported by EaseMyTrip as travelers pivot to locations like Georgia, Serbia, Greece, Thailand, and Vietnam. Ixigo has also suspended all bookings for Turkey, Azerbaijan, and China, aligning with public sentiment.
While there's a push to decrease direct flights to Turkey and Azerbaijan, an airline executive cautions against this, explaining that it could favor Middle Eastern airlines and complicate travel logistics for Indian passengers. The current situation reflects a complex interaction between geopolitics and the travel industry and underscores travelers' shifting preferences.
More than 800 members of Ahmedabad's Jain Lotus Group have canceled post-Diwali travel plans to Turkey, following the country’s support for Pakistan amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. The Jain Lotus Group, comprising over 1,000 couples, had organized a 12-day trip scheduled to start after Diwali but has now scrapped the plans as a protest. This cancellation is part of a broader trend among Indian travelers, with a reported 60% drop in bookings for Turkey and Azerbaijan and a shocking 250% increase in cancellations due to the political situation.
In recent weeks, both Turkey and Azerbaijan have publicly aligned with Pakistan, particularly following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. Turkey has notably called for an international investigation into the Pahalgam attack and has previously provided military support to Pakistan.
Jain Lotus Group Treasurer Vipul Shah emphasized that the cancellation was a moral decision, aimed at standing in solidarity with India. The group had meticulously planned the trip, which included destinations like Cappadocia and Istanbul, coordinating travel in groups of 80 people. However, given the current geopolitical climate, the committee, after consulting its members, decided that it would be inappropriate to travel to a nation they believe supports their country's adversary. Shah stated that while they cannot fight in a war, their decision is a way to express support for India.
