Turkey and Azerbaijan Face Tourism Decline Amid India Boycott Over Pakistan Ties
| 2025-05-15
Representative Image
Indian travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan drops sharply as public backlash grows over both countries' support for Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack.
India’s outbound tourism industry is witnessing a sharp realignment as growing political tensions prompt public and corporate responses. Online travel agencies and tour operators are reporting a significant decline in Indian interest in Turkey and Azerbaijan, both previously fast-growing destinations, after both nations expressed solidarity with Pakistan during heightened tensions with India.
Major Indian travel platforms, including MakeMyTrip, EaseMyTrip, Ixigo, Cox & Kings, and Travomint, have either suspended bookings to these countries or issued advisories discouraging non-essential travel. This follows a surge in online campaigns calling for a boycott of Turkish and Azerbaijani products and services.
A spokesperson for MakeMyTrip confirmed that bookings to both destinations have dropped by 60%, with cancellations soaring by 250% in just one week. “In solidarity with our nation and out of deep respect for our armed forces, we strongly support this sentiment and advise against all non-essential travel to Azerbaijan and Turkey,” the company said in a statement.
EaseMyTrip reported similar patterns. The agency has seen 22% of bookings for Turkey and 30% for Azerbaijan cancelled since the Pahalgam attack. Its advisory also cited the “war-like situation” and security concerns as reasons for the guidance.
The sharp reaction follows the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, a region in Indian-administered Kashmir, which led to increased military tensions with Pakistan. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s public reiteration of support for Pakistan, including references to the two nations’ “brotherly ties”, further fuelled the backlash.
Impact on Tourism
The economic fallout is already visible in the travel sector. According to the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, 331,000 Indian nationals visited Turkey in 2024—a 21% rise from the previous year—placing India among the top 20 source markets. Azerbaijan saw even steeper growth, with 244,000 Indian visitors in 2024, up from 117,000 in 2023, according to the Azerbaijan Tourism Board.
However, that momentum appears to be reversing. Several agencies, including WanderOn and Travomint, have halted new bookings and severed ties with airlines such as Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, Corendon Airlines, and Azerbaijan Airlines.
Cox & Kings has also temporarily ceased promoting travel packages to the two countries. “This decision is driven by our commitment to uphold principles that matter deeply to us and the people of our country,” said director Karan Agarwal.
Aviation and Technical Ties Under Scrutiny
Turkey’s deep involvement in Indian civil aviation is also attracting attention. IndiGo, India’s largest airline, has operated a codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines since 2018 and currently uses Turkish-registered aircraft to meet demand. Air India, a member of the Star Alliance alongside Turkish Airlines, maintains technical and maintenance agreements with Turkish Technic.
These collaborations have thus far remained unchanged, although public scrutiny has intensified. Air India and IndiGo have both sent aircraft to Turkey for overhaul and maintenance, and Turkish ground handling company Celebi operates at major Indian airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
Despite this, analysts suggest that commercial operations of airlines are unlikely to be affected unless there is a significant drop in passenger volumes. Together, IndiGo and Air India account for over 90% of the domestic market share.
Context and Trade Implications
India's trade relations with both Turkey and Azerbaijan, while relatively modest compared to other partners, have also come into focus.
India’s exports to Turkey totalled approximately USD 5.2 billion in FY 2024–25 (April–February), with key products including petroleum, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. Imports from Turkey include mineral oils, marble, and fresh produce such as apples. Nearly 70% of India’s marble imports originate from Turkey, which have now reportedly been halted by several Indian trader associations.
Trade with Azerbaijan remains limited. India exported goods worth USD 86 million during the same period, with tobacco, tea, and chemicals leading the list. Imports included essential oils, raw hides, and leather. India was the third-largest destination for Azerbaijan’s crude oil in 2023.
Social Media and Symbolism
The boycott of Turkey and Azerbaijan echoes previous campaigns against nations perceived to have taken anti-India stances. A similar movement in January 2024 targeted the Maldives following disparaging comments about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Maldivian officials. That campaign led to a 37% drop in Indian tourists to the Maldives, according to official figures.
While social media trends do not always translate into long-term policy shifts, the rapid mobilisation around the issue has had measurable commercial effects. A spokesperson for Ixigo posted on social media: “In solidarity with our nation, ixigo is suspending flight and hotel bookings for Turkey, Azerbaijan, and China. Because when it comes to Bharat, we don’t think twice.”
Conclusion
Turkey and Azerbaijan, until recently rising stars in the Indian outbound tourism market, now face an abrupt reversal of fortunes. As diplomatic tensions simmer and nationalist sentiment grows, India’s tourism and trade decisions increasingly reflect its geopolitical priorities.
Whether this trend will be sustained—or if commercial considerations will ultimately override political discontent—remains to be seen. For now, the economic cost of foreign policy posturing appears to be rising.
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