Key Takeaways
• Indian travel bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan dropped by at least 50% after support for Pakistan in April–May 2025.
• Major Indian agencies like EaseMyTrip and Travomint suspended packages and waived cancellation fees to Turkey and Azerbaijan.
• Public calls to boycott Turkey and Azerbaijan grew, with some Indian businesses refusing bookings from Turkish citizens.
Tensions between India and Pakistan have grown much stronger since the April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam. This single event triggered a series of actions and reactions not just between the two countries, but also among other nations in the region. Turkey 🇹🇷 and Azerbaijan 🇦🇿, both strong allies of Pakistan 🇵🇰, have taken steps that have upset Indian travelers and, in turn, caused a wave of changes in how some Indians plan their trips abroad. Let’s break down what happened, why it matters, and who is feeling the biggest effects.
Rising Tensions: The Background
The trouble began with a terror attack in Pahalgam, India, on April 22, 2025. In response, India carried out strikes on nine sites in both Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and areas inside Pakistan on May 7, 2025. According to Indian officials, these were the deepest strikes inside Pakistan in several decades. Soon after, Pakistan tried to launch drones and missiles at Indian army targets in different cities and towns. Indian authorities stated that they “effectively repulsed” these attacks.
These events created a dramatic standoff between the two neighbors. In a moment when international support became very important, Turkey and Azerbaijan stepped in with open backing for Pakistan. Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs not only condemned the strikes carried out by India but also said they stood fully behind the people of Pakistan. Both countries called for a peaceful solution through talks, but their clear support for Pakistan did not go unnoticed by Indian officials and the Indian public.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed that Turkey would “take new steps together with Azerbaijan and Pakistan,” making it clear which side the two countries were on.
Indian Travel Companies React Strongly
The direct response came from the travel industry in India, which has become a major player in global tourism over recent years. Several big travel companies announced changes immediately after Turkey and Azerbaijan expressed their support for Pakistan.
Steps Taken by Leading Travel Firms
- EaseMyTrip: Nishant Pittie, founder and chairman, strongly advised Indian travelers to avoid any non-essential trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan. He plainly said that he felt “disheartened to note that Turkey and Azerbaijan have extended their support to Pakistan.”
- Pickyourtrail: Co-founder Hari Ganapathy explained that his company had chosen to “pause all new travel planning to Turkey and Azerbaijan.” He added that while their decision was not aimed at the people of these countries, it was a firm stance against policies that went against India’s interests.
- Cox & Kings: One of the oldest travel brands in India, Cox & Kings decided to freeze new travel plans to both Azerbaijan and Turkey, as well as Uzbekistan. They recommended that Indian travelers should “exercise discretion and avoid any non-essential travel to these destinations.”
Travomint: This company suspended the sale of all packages to Turkey 🇹🇷 and Azerbaijan 🇦🇿. On top of that, they said anyone with an existing booking could cancel without paying any fees.
Kesari Tours: Himanshu Patil, director and leader of the Outbound Tour Operators Association of India, said his company was seeing many requests from travelers looking to cancel trips to these countries.
These actions all point to a trend: Indian travel companies are putting national sentiment ahead of business, showing unity with the country’s political stance.
The Public’s Voice Grows Louder
The travel advisories didn’t appear out of nowhere. Thousands of Indian social media users began sharing posts urging people to boycott Turkey 🇹🇷 and Azerbaijan 🇦🇿 as travel destinations. Slogans like “Tourism is a choice. So is dignity” and calls to “Support India’s friends—Armenia and Greece!” became widely shared. Many feel strongly that spending money in Turkey or Azerbaijan would, in a way, aid countries seen as not supporting India in this period of tension with Pakistan.
The movement even inspired some Indian businesses to act. For instance, Goa Villas, a popular online rental platform for holidays, publicly stated they would not allow Turkish citizens to book accommodations with them. Such steps show how deeply politics can affect even small and medium-sized businesses.
The Numbers: Tourism Takes a Hit
Travel between India and both Turkey 🇹🇷 and Azerbaijan 🇦🇿 has been booming in recent years. Tourism data gives a sense of how much this shift in sentiment and policy could cost everyone involved.
- In 2024, Turkey welcomed 330,000 Indian travelers—a 20.7% increase from the year before. Even more impressive, from January to May in 2024, there was a 34% surge in Indian tourist arrivals compared to the same period in 2023.
During the same year, Azerbaijan saw 243,000 Indian tourists visit—a jump of 108% compared to 2023.
But after the travel advisories from major Indian agencies, experts now expect bookings for Turkey 🇹🇷 and Azerbaijan 🇦🇿 to fall by at least 50%. This decline is not confined to outbound travel agencies. Even within India, hotels in popular tourist states like Rajasthan, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir have seen cancellations linked to this episode.
This change also means lost income for hotels, airlines, tour guides, and others who depend on tourism. It could also affect local jobs in tourism in Turkey and Azerbaijan, especially those businesses catering to Indian travelers.
The Bigger Picture: Geopolitics in the Spotlight
Behind the travel and tourism changes lies something even larger: shifting power and alliances in the region.
Turkey 🇹🇷, Azerbaijan 🇦🇿, and Pakistan 🇵🇰 have been forming closer bonds in recent years. Their cooperation covers everything from trade to military support, and, as recent events show, diplomatic and public support during major conflicts. The three countries want to increase their influence in the South Caucasus, a region long marked by conflicts and shifting alliances.
On the other side, Iran 🇮🇷, Armenia 🇦🇲, and India 🇮🇳 are growing closer too. Each group seeks backing from friends and economic partners as the wider region faces new disputes and changes.
Turkey’s and Azerbaijan’s support for Pakistan during the latest India-Pakistan crisis was not surprising for those watching the region. For India, the swift reaction by travel companies and many everyday people is a clear message—that economic ties and public opinion matter in today’s world politics.
Short and Long-Term Effects
Immediate Impact
The quick move by Indian travel agencies to suspend bookings for Turkey 🇹🇷 and Azerbaijan 🇦🇿 left many Indian travelers scrambling for alternatives. People who’d planned vacations, honeymoons, or even business trips have been forced to change or cancel their plans. Travel companies like Travomint have tried to make this easier by dropping cancellation fees for affected trips.
At the same time, companies in India that depend on hosting travelers from these countries—like Goa Villas—not only lose business but also become part of the political conversation, whether they want to or not.
This wave of cancellations and changes does more than just affect the travel sector; it sends a strong message that political choices and alliances can hurt business and people’s everyday lives.
Possible Long-Term Outcomes
Some effects could go further. The dip in Indian tourism might last a long time if tensions continue or get worse. Indian travelers are known to spend generously on hotels, food, shopping, and entertainment, so their absence will be felt in both Turkey 🇹🇷 and Azerbaijan 🇦🇿 tourism sectors.
At the same time, the episode might push Indian travelers to look at new destinations seen as more friendly to India, such as Armenia 🇦🇲 and Greece 🇬🇷. These countries may now work harder to attract Indian tourists with new deals or packages, further shifting travel patterns in the region.
Meanwhile, Turkey 🇹🇷 and Azerbaijan 🇦🇿 may respond with their own changes—either by easing visa policies for other key markets, working to attract visitors from elsewhere, or trying to repair diplomatic ties with India.
Differing Views and Controversies
While many in India support the boycott, others have pointed out that regular citizens in Turkey 🇹🇷 and Azerbaijan 🇦🇿 should not be held responsible for government policies. Some also worry that cutting off travel could actually harm chances at better understanding between nations.
Travel and cultural exchange can sometimes help lower tensions, as people meet those from different countries and see their lives up close. Stopping this movement, some say, could make misunderstandings and divisions even deeper.
On the business side, some tour operators admit they are caught between public pressure and business needs. They are working hard to balance protecting profits with honoring national sentiment.
This complex situation shows how immigration and travel can quickly become tied up with diplomatic moves and political beliefs. Add in strong feelings on social media, and the story moves beyond just airplanes and hotels—it becomes a public issue about loyalty, choices, and who you support in a crisis.
Official Recommendations and Next Steps
Travelers, business owners, and anyone interested in foreign trips should always keep up with official advisories. Indian citizens who still plan to visit Turkey, Azerbaijan, or Pakistan are encouraged to watch reliable government sites for updated information. You can check out the Government of India’s Bureau of Immigration for up-to-date guidelines on travel and entry requirements.
VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals that India’s travel advisory response is one of the strongest examples in recent years of how government policies and business decisions can work together during international crises.
While it remains to be seen how long the drop in travel bookings will last, it’s clear this story has changed how many Indians view Turkey 🇹🇷 and Azerbaijan 🇦🇿 as travel destinations. The travel and tourism industry is reminded that even faraway events can produce sudden, far-reaching changes.
Key Takeaways
- Indian travel to Turkey 🇹🇷 and Azerbaijan 🇦🇿 has faced a major setback due to recent diplomatic tensions.
- Travel companies in India were fast to respond by suspending bookings and offering changes to help their clients.
- The loss of Indian tourists could hurt the tourism industry in Turkey and Azerbaijan for months or even years to come.
- Social media and national sentiment have played big roles in shaping public and industry response.
- The situation reflects bigger changes in how countries form friendships and alliances, both in politics and business.
- Travelers should stay informed, follow official advice, and weigh all options carefully before making plans.
As politics and business become more closely linked than ever before, every decision—whether it’s a flight, a hotel booking, or a simple travel choice—can send a message that echoes far beyond borders.
Learn Today
Travel advisory → Official government or agency recommendation advising citizens about potential risks or changes to travel to certain countries.
Outbound tourism → Travel by residents of one country to foreign nations, often organized through agencies or tour companies.
Boycott → An organized refusal to engage with, purchase from, or travel to a place or service in protest.
Geopolitics → The influence of political and geographic factors on international relationships, diplomacy, and regional alliances.
Suspension of bookings → A temporary halt by travel companies or platforms preventing new reservations to certain destinations.
This Article in a Nutshell
After deadly attacks and shifting alliances, major Indian travel companies suspended trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan, reflecting national sentiment. Tourism between India and these countries, which saw record numbers in 2024, is expected to fall over 50%, impacting both economies and highlighting how geopolitics affects the travel industry.
— By VisaVerge.com
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