Indian tourists are rapidly cancelling trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan following both countries’ support for Pakistan during India’s recent military action under ‘Operation Sindoor.’ This backlash has hit tourism hard, especially after reports surfaced that Pakistan used Turkish-made drones in its strikes.
Adding to this, well-known investor Shankar Sharma has urged a halt to travel bookings to the United States as well, citing America’s open support for a friend of India’s enemy. On X (formerly Twitter), Sharma wrote that travel agencies like MakeMyTrip and EaseMyTrip should immediately stop bookings to the US, saying, “We can't travel to a nation that's openly supporting a friend of an enemy. Right?”
This call followed news of the US government’s approval of a potential $304 million missile sale to Turkey, including modern air-to-air missiles and related systems, which many Indians viewed with concern given Turkey’s backing of Pakistan in the conflict.
Travel platforms are reporting sharp declines and surges in cancellations for these destinations. MakeMyTrip has seen bookings for Turkey and Azerbaijan plunge by 60%, with cancellations increasing by 250% in just one week. Cleartrip reported a 260% jump in cancellations for these countries.
In response, MakeMyTrip has halted all promotions and offers for Turkey and Azerbaijan, stating: “In solidarity with our nation, we have discontinued all promotions and offers for travel to Azerbaijan and Turkey.” Cleartrip advises avoiding travel to these countries, and ixigo has suspended all bookings for Turkey, Azerbaijan, and China, declaring, “In solidarity with our nation… When it comes to Bharat, we don’t think twice. Jai Hind.”
EaseMyTrip issued a warning urging travelers to stay informed and avoid Turkey and Azerbaijan unless absolutely necessary, referencing escalating tensions after the Pahalgam attack and those countries’ support for Pakistan.
Since May 8, social media has been flooded with calls for boycotts of countries perceived as backing Pakistan during the recent conflict, urging Indians to cancel holidays and business trips in protest. The travel boycott reflects the strong nationalist sentiment and growing demand for solidarity with India in the wake of Operation Sindoor.
