Travel Cancellations to Turkey and Azerbaijan Surge in India
Here’s a detailed summary of the current situation regarding travel cancellations to Turkey and Azerbaijan, as reported on May 15, 2025:
Travel Cancellations to Turkey and Azerbaijan Surge
What’s Happening?
- Major Indian travel platforms like MakeMyTrip and ixigo have reported a sharp spike in cancellations and suspended bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan.
- The cancellations come in response to these countries’ perceived support for Pakistan in recent geopolitical tensions involving India.
🧭 Why Are Indians Cancelling Trips?
- Public Sentiment Backlash: Many Indian travelers are reacting emotionally to statements or diplomatic postures seen as unfavorable to India.
- Social Media Calls for Boycott: Trending hashtags and influencers have urged people to avoid traveling to nations perceived as anti-India.
- Support for National Sentiment: There’s a growing narrative around choosing destinations that align with India’s values and interests.
🧳 Impact on Travel Industry
- MakeMyTrip, ixigo, Yatra, and other travel services are seeing:
- Mass cancellations of pre-booked vacations
- Suspension of future listings for travel packages to these countries
- A notable drop in travel inquiries for Turkey and Azerbaijan
🌍 What Travelers Should Know
- No official travel ban has been issued by the Indian government—these are consumer-driven cancellations.
- Travel operators are recommending alternative destinations in Europe and the Middle East.
- Refund policies may vary, but many platforms are offering flexible rescheduling or credits.
Alternative Destinations Gaining Popularity
- Georgia, Greece, Dubai (UAE), and Thailand are now trending among Indian tourists as replacement options.
Public Reaction
- A mix of patriotic support, tourism concerns, and calls for clarity from the Ministry of External Affairs.
- Some travelers are also questioning whether political issues should affect cultural and personal tourism.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the situation regarding travel cancellations to Turkey and Azerbaijan as of May 15, 2025:
Travel Cancellations to Turkey and Azerbaijan Surge
📅 Date: May 15, 2025
Source: India Today
What Triggered This Situation?
- The surge in cancellations is a reaction to diplomatic statements and international alignments.
- Both Turkey and Azerbaijan have expressed support for Pakistan in recent geopolitical developments — particularly concerning India-Pakistan border and defense issues.
- This has ignited nationalist sentiments and calls for boycotts of these countries from Indian travelers and influencers.
Impact on the Travel Industry
🔸 Indian Travel Platforms Affected:
- MakeMyTrip
- ixigo
- Yatra.com
- EaseMyTrip
These platforms have reported:
- Hundreds of booking cancellations over the past few days.
- Future trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan are being rescheduled or switched to other countries.
- Some users are even asking for the removal of Turkey/Azerbaijan tour packages from websites altogether.
🔍 Insight from Industry Leaders
- ixigo spokesperson: “We’ve seen a noticeable uptick in cancellations and user feedback mentioning concerns about recent geopolitical statements.”
- MakeMyTrip executive: “We are offering flexible policies to accommodate travelers who wish to modify or cancel bookings.”
IN Public Response in India
Trending Hashtags:
- BoycottTurkey
- BoycottAzerbaijan
- SupportIndia
- TravelResponsibly
Many citizens are calling for:
- Supporting nations that stand with India
- Avoiding expenditure in countries seen as politically unfriendly
Shift in Travel Preferences
Indian travelers are redirecting their plans to:
- UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi) – continues to be popular and politically neutral
- Thailand – visa-free and friendly ties with India
- Georgia – similar cultural appeal as Turkey but without political baggage
- Bali, Indonesia – trending for honeymoons and family vacations
Refund and Policy Highlights
- Full refunds: May not be guaranteed for all bookings unless it’s a tour operator’s cancellation.
- Credit vouchers: Being offered by some travel portals to retain customers.
- Flexible rebooking: Dates and destinations can be adjusted on most portals without penalty.
Government Stanc
This trend is a clear example of travel influenced by foreign policy and public opinion. Even without official bans, national sentiment and social media pressure can significantly impact international tourism markets.
Amid rising geopolitical tensions, Indian travelers are increasingly canceling trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan due to both nations’ public support for Pakistan following recent India-Pakistan hostilities. Major travel agencies like MakeMyTrip and EaseMyTrip have reported significant spikes in cancellations—up to 250% in some cases—along with steep declines in new bookings. In response, several platforms including Ixigo and Cox & Kings have suspended travel packages to these countries. The public backlash has been fueled by social media campaigns and calls for a tourism boycott from prominent figures such as industrialist Harsh Goenka, who highlighted that Indian tourists contributed over ₹4,000 crore to these destinations last year. As a result, many travelers are now redirecting their plans to alternative locations like Greece, Thailand, Vietnam, Georgia, and Serbia.
Indian travelers are increasingly canceling trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan following both countries’ expressions of support for Pakistan amid recent India-Pakistan tensions. This has led to a significant decline in bookings and a surge in cancellations.India has not officially banned travel to Turkey. However, there has been a significant decline in Indian tourism to Turkey due to public backlash following Turkey’s support for Pakistan during recent India-Pakistan tensions. This sentiment has led to mass cancellations of trips and a sharp drop in new bookings. Major travel agencies like MakeMyTrip, EaseMyTrip, and Ixigo have suspended promotions and bookings to Turkey, aligning with national sentiment. Additionally, calls for a tourism boycott have been amplified by public figures and social media campaigns. While the Indian government has not imposed an official travel ban, these collective actions reflect a de facto boycott driven by public and industry response.
