Indian travellers are cancelling trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan in large numbers after both nations backed Pakistan post-Operation Sindoor. Bookings drop as industry shifts focus to friendlier destinations.
May 15, 2025: New Delhi:
Calls to boycott Turkey and Azerbaijan are intensifying across India after both countries publicly backed Pakistan amid escalating tensions following Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.
Two major Indian travel agencies — MakeMyTrip and EaseMyTrip — have reported a dramatic drop in bookings and a sharp rise in cancellations for trips to both destinations.
According to Reuters, MakeMyTrip saw a 60% decline in new bookings and a 250% surge in cancellations for Turkey and Azerbaijan in just the past week.
EaseMyTrip CEO Rikant Pittie confirmed a similar trend.
“We recorded a 22% cancellation rate for Turkey and 30% for Azerbaijan, with most customers choosing alternatives like Georgia, Serbia, Greece, Thailand, and Vietnam,” he said.
Tourism Industry Backs Boycott
Prominent travel platform Ixigo also announced it is suspending flight and hotel bookings to Turkey, Azerbaijan, and China, aligning itself with rising public sentiment.
EaseMyTrip chairman Nishant Pitti took to X (formerly Twitter) to highlight the scale of Indian tourism to these countries, writing:
“Last year, 287,000 Indians travelled to Turkey and 243,000 to Azerbaijan. When these nations openly support Pakistan, should we continue to fuel their economies?”
National Interest Over Business
Subhash Goyal, Chairman of the Tourism Committee at the Indian Chamber of Commerce, called for a unified stance from the industry:
“Tourism is not just commerce — it’s a reflection of values. Several associations are aligning with national interest, boycotting states that support terrorism.”
He added that India’s tourism sector must support ethical, responsible travel in line with the country’s stand against terrorism.
Background: Why the Boycott?
- Turkey had demanded an international probe into the Pahalgam attack, echoing Pakistan’s position.
- Azerbaijan issued a statement aligning with Islamabad during the India-Pakistan escalation.
- Turkey has also supplied arms to Pakistan in the past, further fueling anger in India.
Tensions escalated after India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 — a precision military strike targeting nine terror-linked sites in Pakistan and PoK following the death of 26 Indian civilians in a terror attack. A ceasefire understanding was reached on May 10, though violations have since been reported.
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Turkey boycott, Azerbaijan boycott, Indian tourists cancel trips, Operation Sindoor aftermath, India Pakistan tensions, Pahalgam attack, MakeMyTrip, EaseMyTrip, travel cancellations, tourism industry response, Nishant Pitti, Subhash Goyal, ethical tourism, OperationSindoor,