Following the recent military tensions between India and Pakistan, and especially after the Pahalgam terror attack, Turkey and Azerbaijan are witnessing a sharp decline in Indian tourist interest due to their perceived support for Pakistan. Travel booking platforms have reported a significant drop in new reservations and a spike in cancellations from Indian customers.
Several Indian travel agencies have stopped offering bookings to these destinations, while others are actively advising customers to avoid non-essential travel. Turkey and Azerbaijan have been favored by Indian tourists in recent years, with growing flight connectivity and popularity in sectors like wedding tourism and business events.
However, with public sentiment turning sharply against both countries, travel industry experts say the current trend echoes the 2024 call to boycott the Maldives after its ministers made derogatory remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to MakeMyTrip, bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan have dropped by 60%, while cancellations surged by 250% within a week. The company stated that it stands with national sentiment and has suspended all promotional campaigns related to these destinations.
