Indian Tourists Cancel Over 50% of Bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan Amid Boycott Calls
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Summary: In six days, Indian tourists cancelled more than half of their reservations, forcing travel providers to halt new reservations and calls for a boycott from public figures.
Indian tourists have cancelled more than half of their reservations to Turkey and Azerbaijan in just six days due to their support for Pakistan amid rising tensions with India. Travel websites such as EaseMyTrip, Ixigo, Cox & Kings, Pickyourtrail, and Travomint have suspended new reservations for both nations. According to Nishant Pitti, co-founder and chairman of EaseMyTrip, Turkey's cancellation rate was 22%, while Azerbaijan's was more than 30%.
The boycott movement gathered traction after Turkey and Azerbaijan's foreign ministries condemned India's military activities in Pakistan, and most of the international community condemned the terror assault in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. Reports that drones shot near the border during the event were of Turkish origin fueled the outrage.
Prominent Indians have openly endorsed the boycott, including musician Vishal Mishra, actress Rupali Ganguly, and RPG Group Chairperson Harsh Goenka. Notably, Mishra called off his forthcoming performances in both nations.
Even with current tensions, India is still an important source of tourists for both countries. In 2024, Turkey expects around 330,000 Indian tourists, which is a 20.7% rise from last year. Azerbaijan welcomed 243,000 Indian tourists, making up 13% of all visitors and showing a 108% increase compared to 2023.
The ongoing boycott reflects a growing trend of nationalism affecting travel decisions, as Indian travelers and tour operators are opting for more 'India-friendly' locations.
