Indian tourist interest in Azerbaijan and Turkey has noticeably waned in the months following ‘Operation Sindoor’ and related hostilities in May. This shift is attributed to Azerbaijan and Turkey’s public alignment with Pakistan during the military conflict. Azerbaijan’s stance was particularly vocal in May, echoing Pakistan’s position, while Turkey supported Islamabad’s call for an international investigation into the Pahalgam attack, a move that has also seen Turkey supply arms to Pakistan in the past.
Recent data reveals that Azerbaijan experienced a steeper decline, with a 56% reduction in Indian visitors between May and August. Turkey, on the other hand, saw a decrease of 33.3% in the same period.
The Azerbaijan Tourism Board reported a stark reversal for Indian visitor numbers. After a 33% year-on-year growth from January to April, the numbers plummeted by nearly 56% in the subsequent four months.
Popularity Reversed
Both nations had previously seen a surge in popularity among Indian travelers, thanks to direct flight connections and Istanbul’s role as a transit hub. This trend held steady until May, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
Booking Cancellations Surge
Following the ceasefire and calls for boycotting Turkey and Azerbaijan, travel booking platforms witnessed a significant drop in new reservations and a substantial increase in cancellations.
One major booking portal noted a 60% decrease in bookings for Azerbaijan and Turkey, coupled with a 250% surge in cancellations within a single week.
Travelers are now redirecting their plans to destinations like Georgia, Serbia, Greece, Thailand, and Vietnam. Reports indicate a 22% rise in cancellations for Turkey and a 30% increase for Azerbaijan due to the prevailing geopolitical climate.
Furthermore, visa processing platforms have also reported a considerable drop, with one platform noting a 42% decrease in visa applications for both Turkey and Azerbaijan.