Tourist Bookings Decrease by 60% in Turkey and Azerbaijan, Amidst Escalating Tensions with Pakistan
Turkey and Azerbaijan's Tourism Woes: A Swift Fallout from India's Travel Boycott
In recent times, Turkey and Azerbaijan are experiencing a significant downturn in tourist bookings from India after these nations chose to align with Pakistan amidst the ongoing conflict between India and the neighboring countries. This shift in sentiment among Indian travelers, fueled by a widespread online campaign calling for a boycott of travel to these regions, has finally come to light.
As per a statement from MakeMyTrip, India's leading travel booking platform, bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan have seen a sharp decline. According to the statement made on May 14, Indian travelers' reservations for Azerbaijan and Turkey dropped drastically by 60%, while cancellations skyrocketed by a staggering 250% over the same period. Although MakeMyTrip continues to provide flight booking options to these destinations on their website, the situation is evolving rapidly.
Nishant Pitti, founder and former chairman of EaseMyTrip, emphasized the company's commitment to the nation. He stated, "Our nation comes first, before business considerations." Highlighting the importance of citizen safety and national integrity, Pitti encouraged Indians planning to travel abroad to choose destinations that prioritize peace, support India's stance against terrorism, and separate movements.
Back in early 2024, EaseMyTrip had suspended bookings to the Maldives, following a strained relationship between India and the archipelago resulting from disrespectful comments made by Maldivian officials about India and its leadership. Last year, around 2.5 lakh Indians visited Turkey, while another 2.3 lakh traveled to Azerbaijan. [With ANI Inputs]
Unraveling the Timeline
The travel boycott sentiment quickly gained momentum after Operation Sindoor and reports of Turkey and Azerbaijan offering support to Pakistan amidst the escalating tension with India. Over the past week leading up to mid-May 2025, Indian travelers reduced their plans to these countries by around 60% as a form of protest. Cancellations surged even more, increasing by nearly 250% over the same timeframe.
Indian travel companies, including MakeMyTrip, EaseMyTrip, and Cox & Kings, have issued advisories or paused travel packages to these destinations in response to this shift. The boycott's economic impact on both countries' tourism sectors is substantial, with projected losses of approximately $600 million due to the cancellation surge and drops in bookings.
Despite the significant increase in cancellations and booking declines, these account for less than 5% of total travel bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan, suggesting some level of resilience in overall passenger traffic. However, the boycott remains active as of mid-May 2025, with travel companies continuing to issue advisories and postpone new travel offers to these countries. [Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4]
A Potential Tourism Crisis
Turkey's tourism sector, which saw revenues of $54.3 billion in 2023, could suffer a considerable setback due to the recent growth disruption, especially in lucrative segments like Indian weddings and corporate events that have been expanding due to enhanced marketing and air connectivity with India. Indian tourist arrivals to Turkey were increasing steadily, with 2.7 lakh visitors in 2023, a surge of 18% compared to the previous year. By contrast, around 2.4 lakh Indians visited Azerbaijan in 2025, demonstrating the significance of the Indian market for both nations.
Although the boycott represents a considerable financial loss, estimated to amount to approximately $291.6 million for Turkey and $308.6 million for Azerbaijan, it accounts for less than 5% of total travel bookings to these countries, indicating some level of resilience in overall passenger traffic. [Sources: 1, 3]
In conclusion, the travel boycott by Indians against Turkey and Azerbaijan has led to a drastic dip in bookings and a surge in cancellations, potentially halting the growth of tourism ties and causing significant economic losses for both nations' tourism sectors. [Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4]
- The recent boycott of travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan by Indians, due to political tensions, has not only affected the tourism industry but also extended to other aspects of lifestyle, with a 60% decline in bookings and a 250% surge in cancellations.
- As the consequences of war-and-conflicts continue to unfold, political alignments become a consideration for general-news and crime-and-justice sectors, impacting factors such as travel boycotts and tourists' preferences to visit certain destinations.
- The boycott's impact stretches beyond the economic sphere, affecting industries like travel and also highlighting the increasing role of politics in shaping lifestyle choices and global connections.
