In response to the recent escalation between India and Pakistan, a significant segment of India’s travel industry has initiated a boycott of Turkey and Azerbaijan, citing their support for Pakistan during the conflict.
The catalyst for this action was a deadly militant attack in Baisaran valley near Pahalgam, Kashmir, last month, which resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists. In retaliation, India launched “Operation Sindoor,” conducting airstrikes targeting militant infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. This led to several days of intense military exchanges between the two nations.
Amid these developments, Turkey and Azerbaijan issued statements expressing solidarity with Pakistan, drawing sharp criticism from Indian travel associations and travel agents.
Alok K Singh, CEO of Travomint, announced the suspension of all travel packages to Turkey and Azerbaijan, stating, “With immediate effect, Travomint has suspended the sale of all travel packages to these countries. In addition to this, no cancellation fees will be charged on existing bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan. Emergency flight bookings will be available in case of any emergency or urgent need. Travomint remains committed to national sentiments and the safety and trust of its customers. We believe that business must be driven not only by profit but also principles.”
The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) echoed this sentiment, urging the Indian government to issue strong travel advisories against Turkey and Azerbaijan. TAAI emphasized that “These countries thrive on Indian tourism, and it is unacceptable for Indian travellers to fund destinations that do not respect India’s security concerns.“
“Furthermore, we urge the Government of India to immediately issue strong travel advisories against countries like Turkey and Azerbaijan, whose diplomatic posture and associations suggest implicit or explicit support to hostile regimes that promote or harbor terrorism from Pakistan. These countries thrive on Indian tourism, and it is unacceptable for Indian travellers to fund destinations that do not respect India’s security concerns,” the statement from TAAI added.
EaseMyTrip, another prominent travel agency, reiterated its commitment to national interests. Rikant Pittie, CEO & Co-Founder, stated, “After the Pahalgam terror attack, while many stayed silent, we were once again the first to issue a travel advisory against Turkey and Azerbaijan for their open support to Pakistan, urging Indian travellers to avoid non-essential visits. As a proud Indian company, the safety and sentiments of Indian travellers have always guided our actions. We are heartened to see that many other travel platforms and companies are now taking similar stands. It’s a positive sign of collective responsibility in moments that matter most.”
The Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) also voiced concerns over international support to Pakistan, particularly criticizing the recent IMF bailout.
Himanshu Patil, President of OTOAI, stated, “Travel is not just an economic activity; it reflects the values and ethics of a nation. As responsible stakeholders in the tourism sector, we believe that India must send a strong message to the global community that any form of support to terrorism, masked as financial aid or humanitarian assistance, is unacceptable. We appeal to all Indian travellers and tour operators to make informed choices and prioritize national interest in their travel decisions.“