Indian Tourists Boycott Turkey and Azerbaijan Following Operation Sindoor

Mumbai - Indian tourists are canceling travel bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan in droves following the countries' support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, a military strike launched by India.

Operation SindoorIndia TourismTurkeyAzerbaijanTravel BoycottReal Estate MumbaiMay 17, 2025

Indian Tourists Boycott Turkey and Azerbaijan Following Operation Sindoor

Real Estate Mumbai: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.nnTurkey and Azerbaijan Draw Ire Over Pro-Pakistan StancenBoth 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.nnIndustrialist 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.”nn“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.nnTravel Industry Reacts SwiftlynTour 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.”nnSimilarly, 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.”nnSurge in Domestic Interest, But With HurdlesnThe 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.nnParab, 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.”nnTravel Platforms Report Steep Decline in BookingsnOnline travel giants have reported a sharp drop in bookings for Turkey and Azerbaijan:nA MakeMyTrip spokesperson said bookings for the two countries dropped by 60% in the past week, while cancellation rates have surged by 250%.nPrashant 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.nn“We can’t separate tourism from national sentiment anymore. We are redirecting travelers to friendlier destinations,” Pitti said.nnRising National SentimentnWith 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Operation Sindoor?

Operation Sindoor is a military operation launched by India against terror outfits in Pakistan following a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam. It aimed to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and protect Indian citizens.

Why are Indian tourists boycotting Turkey and Azerbaijan?

Indian tourists are boycotting Turkey and Azerbaijan because both countries openly supported Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, which has fueled widespread anger in India.

What impact has the boycott had on tour operators?

The boycott has led to a significant drop in travel bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan, with many tour operators reporting a 60% decline in bookings and a 250% surge in cancellations.

What are the alternative destinations being promoted by travel companies?

Travel companies are promoting alternative destinations such as Greece and Armenia, which offer similar cultural and scenic experiences without the diplomatic baggage of Turkey and Azerbaijan.

How is the Indian government addressing the high costs of domestic travel?

Travel industry experts are calling for government intervention to ensure budget connectivity and accommodation options to promote domestic travel, especially to regions like the Northeast.

Tags:

Related News Articles

real estate news

Luxury Housing Project in Gurugram: Whiteland Corp Invests Rs 5k Cr

Realty firm Whiteland Corporation partners with Marriott International to develop a luxury housing project in Gurugram, with an investment of Rs 5,000 crore.

July 4, 2024

Read Article

Real Estate

China Set to Unveil New Measures to Revitalize the Property Sector

The Chinese government is poised to introduce a series of measures aimed at boosting the property sector, a crucial component of the nation’s economy. These initiatives are expected to address the ongoing slowdown in the real estate market and stimulate g

October 15, 2024

Read Article

real estate news

Real Estate Brothers Oren and Alon Alexander Detained on Serious Charges

Real estate brokers Oren and Alon Alexander remain in custody on charges of sex trafficking and rape, according to recent court documents. The brothers, known for their high-profile real estate business, have been under intense scrutiny since their arrest

December 22, 2024

Read Article

real estate news

India's GDP Growth Projected at 6.4% for 2024-25

Agriculture and allied sectors are estimated to grow by 3.8% in 2024-25, up from 1.4% in 2023-24. The construction sector and financial, real estate, and professional services sectors are also showing promising growth trends.

January 7, 2025

Read Article

Real Estate Mumbai

Prestige Estates Launches Major Q4 Projects Worth Rs 161.34 Billion GDV

In a significant move for the real estate sector, Prestige Estates has announced the launch of several projects worth Rs 161.34 billion GDV (Gross Development Value) in the fourth quarter of FY25. These launches span key markets like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, adding a total of 4,548 residential units to the market.

April 11, 2025

Read Article

Real Estate Pune

IndoSpace Secures 1.27 Lakh Sq Ft Warehouse Lease in Pune for Steelcase

IndoSpace has successfully leased 1.27 lakh square feet of warehousing space to Steelcase Asia Pacific Holdings in Pune, marking a significant milestone in the real estate sector.

April 22, 2025

Read Article