Indian Tourists Boycott Turkey and Azerbaijan Following Operation Sindoor

Mumbai, 16th May 2025: In the wake of Operation Sindoor, India’s military strike against terror outfits in Pakistan, public sentiment in India has turned sharply against Turkey and Azerbaijan, both of which openly backed Pakistan during the operation. The backlash has led to mass cancellations of travel bookings to the two countries by Indian tourists, with leading tour operators confirming a continued trend of boycotts.

Turkey and Azerbaijan Draw Ire Over Pro-Pakistan Stance Both Turkey and Azerbaijan have long positioned themselves as close allies of Pakistan. Their statements and diplomatic posture during Operation Sindoor — launched after a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam — have fueled widespread anger in India.

Industrialist Harsh Goenka, Chairman of RPG Enterprises, expressed his strong disapproval of Turkey and Azerbaijan’s support for Pakistan, urging Indians to reconsider giving business to nations that “stand with enemies of India.”

“Last year, Indians contributed over ₹4,000 crore to the tourism economies of Turkey and Azerbaijan. After their clear support for Pakistan, we must rethink who we support economically,” Goenka stated.

Travel Industry Reacts Swiftly Tour companies have echoed this sentiment. Kiran Bhoir, founder of KMC Holidays and Offshore Pvt. Ltd., said the impact has been immediate. “Clients are voluntarily canceling their Turkey and Azerbaijan trips. These destinations had become popular among middle-class Indians for being affordable, but that sentiment has reversed almost overnight.”

Similarly, Atmaram Parab, founder of Isha Tours, who previously organized tours to Turkey, revealed a growing resistance among travelers. “Even after India helped Turkey during the earthquake a few years ago, anti-India sentiment has prevailed there. Now, tourists are refusing to go, and we’re focusing on promoting domestic destinations like the Northeast.”

Surge in Domestic Interest, But With Hurdles The shift away from Turkey and Azerbaijan has created a parallel rise in interest in domestic travel, especially to South India and the Northeast. However, high airfare and expensive hotel rates in these regions remain a barrier for middle-class travelers.

Parab, who has been organizing Northeast tours for over 15 years, emphasized the need for government intervention. “The government must ensure budget connectivity and accommodation options if we want to promote India as a true alternative.”

Travel Platforms Report Steep Decline in Bookings Online travel giants have reported a sharp drop in bookings for Turkey and Azerbaijan: A MakeMyTrip spokesperson said bookings for the two countries dropped by 60% in the past week, while cancellation rates have surged by 250%. Prashant Pitti, co-founder of EaseMyTrip, stated the company is actively encouraging customers to opt for alternative destinations such as Greece and Armenia, which offer similar cultural and scenic experiences without the diplomatic baggage.

“We can’t separate tourism from national sentiment anymore. We are redirecting travelers to friendlier destinations,” Pitti said.

Rising National Sentiment With Operation Sindoor triggering strong nationalistic feelings, travel choices are becoming political statements. Industry experts believe this is not just a short-term reaction but a shift in consumer behavior rooted in India’s foreign policy outlook and public sentiment.