Indian travel industry urges boycott of Turkiye & Azerbaijan over political stance – ET TravelWorld

In a significant development reflective of the growing geopolitical sensitivities in the travel sector, India’s travel and tourism industry has called for a boycott of tours to Turkiye and Azerbaijan following the two countries’ recent diplomatic overtures in support of Pakistan. The move comes in the wake of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam and Pakistan’s military retaliation along the border-sensative areas in India.

The hashtag #BoycottTurkeyAzerbaijan gained momentum on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday evening, after reports surfaced that the foreign ministries of Turkiye and Azerbaijan had issued separate statements expressing solidarity with Pakistan.

Both Turkiye and Azerbaijan have become increasingly popular among Indian travellers in recent years, mainly due to enhanced air connectivity, targeted promotions, and relaxed visa norms. However, this new turn of events has cast a shadow over their growing appeal in the Indian outbound tourism market.

Turkiye welcomed approximately 3.3 lakh Indian tourists in 2024, representing a 20.7% growth from previous years. The country saw a record 62.2 million global visitors in 2024. Whereas, Azerbaijan, too, saw a substantial rise, with 243,000 Indian tourists visiting the country last year—a number that doubled from the previous year. In January 2025 alone, over 17,000 Indians visited Azerbaijan, marking a new high for that month.

Now, the sentiment appears to be rapidly shifting.

In a statement, EaseMyTrip, one of India’s leading online travel agencies, advised Indian travellers to avoid non-essential travel to Turkiye and Azerbaijan. Citing national security concerns and traveller safety, the company urged vigilance in response to the evolving geopolitical landscape.

“Deeply concerned by the recent developments,” said Nishant Pitti, Founder and Chairman, EaseMyTrip. “At EaseMyTrip, the safety of travellers is our top priority. We advise all our customers to exercise utmost caution and stay updated on official travel advisories before planning trips to sensitive regions. In view of the terror attack in Pahalgam on 22nd April 2025 and war-like situations between India and Pakistan, it is disheartening to note that Turkiye and Azerbaijan have extended their support to Pakistan. EaseMyTrip strongly advises limiting travel to these countries unless absolutely essential.”

The company has also updated its booking policies to reflect this advisory and has called on the wider travel community to take a united stand.

Echoing this sentiment, Pickyourtrail, another prominent online travel platform, announced a temporary halt to all new bookings for Turkey and Azerbaijan. The company emphasised that while the move is not directed at the people of either country, it stands against foreign policy actions that counter India’s national interests.

“At Pickyourtrail, we do more than plan holidays — we enable journeys that matter,” said Hari Ganapathy, Co-Founder of Pickyourtrail. “In light of recent events, we’ve made the decision to pause all new bookings to Turkiye and Azerbaijan. This is not a comment on the people, but a stance against policies that conflict with India’s national interest. As an Indian travel company, our first duty is to the Indian traveller. Jai Hind.”

Additionally, Indian travel brand Go Homestays has announced the end of its partnership with Turkish Airlines, citing the airline’s association with Pakistan that has taken a “hostile” position towards India. Goa Villas, a villa rentals aggregator, also declared that it will not offer accomodation to Turkish citizens.

This growing chorus of dissent marks a rare instance of political stances influencing tourism operations in India, with industry stakeholders voluntarily altering commercial strategies in response to foreign policy postures.

While the Ministry of Tourism has not yet issued an official advisory on the matter, industry observers note that the pressure is building for a coordinated response. Trade bodies and travel associations are expected to deliberate further if tensions continue or escalate.

According to industry experts, this backlash could significantly impact tourism revenues for both Turkiye and Azerbaijan from the Indian market, which has been a fast-growing and high-spending segment. The average Indian outbound traveller, especially to destinations like Turkey and Azerbaijan, tends to spend significantly on guided tours, shopping, and luxury stays.

The travel fraternity is also watching closely to see if other operators and associations follow suit, and whether the diplomatic discourse will soften in the days to come. In the meantime, travel firms are urging their customers to stay informed, follow government-issued advisories, and prioritise safety over convenience.

As the situation develops, all eyes remain on how Turkiye and Azerbaijan respond to this backlash, and whether any policy clarifications or diplomatic outreach will be initiated to defuse the situation.

For now, it’s clear: the Indian travel industry has drawn a line in the sand—placing national interest and traveller safety above all else.