'Please skip Turkey and Azerbaijan': Harsh Goenka calls for tourism boycott amid India-Pakistan conflict, says we 'gave Rs 4,000+cr' to them

Industrialist Harsh Goenka has publicly appealed to Indian citizens to refrain from visiting Turkey and Azerbaijan, citing both nations' support for Pakistan following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Posting on X, Goenka stated, "Indians gave Rs 4,000+cr to Turkey and Azerbaijan last year through tourism. Created jobs. Boosted their economy, hotels, weddings, flights. Today, both stand with Pakistan after Pahalgam attack. Plenty of beautiful places in India and the world. Please skip these 2 places. Jai Hind."

According to Goenka, Indian tourists significantly contributed to the tourism sectors of these countries in 2024. His message has been widely shared across social media, aligning with growing national sentiments against countries perceived to be siding with Pakistan.

Travel Industry Responds with Booking Suspensions

The Indian travel industry swiftly echoed Goenka's concerns. Several major companies suspending bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan. Platforms such as Ixigo, EaseMyTrip, Cox & Kings, and Travomint took immediate steps to align with public sentiment, halting travel-related services to the two countries. Ixigo also extended its suspension to China, citing national interest as the reason behind the move.

Go Homestays announced the termination of its partnership with Turkish Airlines and confirmed it would no longer include the carrier’s flights in its international travel packages. Goa Villas, meanwhile, decided to stop offering accommodation services to Turkish nationals in Goa, attributing the decision to current geopolitical tensions and affirming their support for India.

Cox & Kings temporarily paused all new bookings to Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan, indicating that travel plans would remain on hold in light of the prevailing national mood. EaseMyTrip issued a travel advisory recommending that Indian citizens avoid these destinations unless absolutely necessary. Travomint also joined the initiative by completely suspending all travel packages to both Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Sharp Decline in Bookings Expected

These developments are expected to result in a steep decline in Indian tourist footfall to both countries. Industry estimates suggest that bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan may drop by as much as 50 percent. Many Indian tourists are now shifting their travel plans to other destinations such as Bali and Malaysia.

The boycott gains further traction as Indian social media users highlight India's past support for Turkey during its 2023 earthquake crisis, contrasting it with Turkey's current diplomatic stance. Many are also calling for a redirection of travel and tourism expenditure to nations more aligned with India's interests.

Statements from Turkey and Azerbaijan Spark Outrage

The backlash was triggered by official responses from Turkey and Azerbaijan in early May, shortly after India carried out military operations targeting terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Turkey’s foreign ministry strongly criticized India’s actions, cautioning that such measures could lead to a broader conflict and condemning what it described as attacks impacting civilians and public infrastructure.

Azerbaijan also voiced its disapproval, expressing concern over the escalating situation between India and Pakistan. The government denounced the military actions that resulted in civilian casualties and expressed solidarity with Pakistan, extending sympathies to the victims' families and wishing a swift recovery to the injured.