In solidarity Indian tourists, operators cancel holidays to Turkey, Azerbaijan

Many Indians are cancelling planned trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan while some travel operators have suspended tour packages to these countries amid growing boycott calls on social media after they condemned India's 'Operation Sindoor' strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan.

Both these countries had become popular among Indian travellers and the developments will impact bookings, said Himanshu Patil, director at Kesari Tours, and president of Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI). "Travel is my business, but people are right in thinking this way," he said. "It is unfortunate that these countries are siding with Pakistan and going against India."



Cox & Kings on Friday said it has decided to "temporarily pause" all new travel offerings to Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Turkey in keeping with the broader sentiments of its customers and the nation, and in a bid to prioritise traveller safety. "We also advise Indian travellers to exercise discretion and avoid any non-essential travel to these destinations until there is greater clarity and alignment in the broader geopolitical environment," said Karan Agarwal, director at Cox & Kings.

EaseMyTrip stated on X that it would recommend visiting Turkey and Azerbaijan "only if absolutely necessary."

Foreign ministries of Turkey and Azerbaijan had in separate statements on Wednesday condemned India's attacks in Pakistan in the early ours of Wednesday, agreeing with Pakistan's claims that civilians were targeted.

India has maintained that its focused, measured and non-escalatory operation hit terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and that military establishments and civilians were not targeted.


Hashtag BoycottTurkeyAzerbaijan was trending on X on Thursday evening with over 12,000 posts.

"Tourism is a choice. So is dignity," read a widely shared post on social media, while another one stated: "2.4 lakh Indians travelled to Azerbaijan, 3.3 lakh Indians travelled to Turkey in 2024. Why fund Pakistan's allies? Support India's friends-Armenia and Greece!"

Siddharth Bakaria, founder of Goa-based holiday rentals platform Goa Villas and Go Homestays, who also offers travel packages including flight bookings for overseas countries, said he has decided to end his partnership with Turkish airlines due to their "unsupportive stance" towards India.

Bakaria, whose firms have 117 listed properties in Goa, has also decided not to offer any accommodation to Turkish citizens. "Pakistan has attacked India several times and most countries are supporting us. On the other hand, Turkey is openly supporting Pakistan. We stand with our country and have decided not to offer any accommodation to Turkish citizens in Goa," he said.

Turkey and Azerbaijan had gained considerable traction from India with better air connectivity, marketing and promotions.