Indian Tourists Cancel Trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan Amid Boycott Movements
Growing Backlash Against Turkey and Azerbaijan
In light of escalating social media campaigns and rising diplomatic tensions, both online travel agencies and individual travelers in India are reconsidering their trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan. This reaction stems from these nations' controversial remarks and their ongoing diplomatic backing of Pakistan, particularly in international discussions affecting Indian interests.
Prominent travel platforms such as EaseMyTrip, Cox & Kings, and ixigo have started to halt holiday packages, tours, and flight reservations to these two countries temporarily.
Additionally, over 800 members of the Jain Lotus Group from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, have opted to cancel their post-Diwali travel plans to Turkey, citing the nation's recent endorsement of Pakistan.
Tour operators in cities including Ahmedabad, Surat, and Rajkot have reported a noticeable decline in interest and an increase in last-minute cancellations. This trend is a direct consequence of the ongoing boycott calls from Indian citizens on social media, where hashtags like #BoycottTurkey and #BoycottAzerbaijan have gained traction recently.
Impact of Indian Tourists on Turkey's Economy
Turkey has relied heavily on Indian tourists for its tourism revenue in recent years. In 2024, more than 330,000 Indian travelers visited Turkey, making it a leading destination for outbound tourism from India. Key segments contributing to Turkey's income from Indian visitors include weddings, luxury travel, and spiritual tours.
In response to the current sentiments, Indian netizens and nationalist groups are encouraging a boycott of tourism and businesses that do not align with national interests.
As the tourism season approaches and global travel begins to recover from the pandemic, this abrupt change could have significant financial repercussions for both Turkey and Azerbaijan's tourism industries, especially considering the spending capacity of Indian travelers.