MakeMyTrip Sees 250% Rise in Turkey, Azerbaijan Trip Cancellations Amid Boycott Calls
MakeMyTrip Sees 250% Rise in Turkey, Azerbaijan Trip Cancellations Amid Boycott Calls
Travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan plummets as Indians respond to rising tensions and online boycott campaigns over pro-Pakistan stance.
In the wake of rising diplomatic tensions and growing calls for national solidarity, MakeMyTrip (MMT), one of India’s leading online travel portals, has reported a 250% surge in trip cancellations and a 60% drop in new bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan in just the past week. The backlash comes amid widespread online protests against both nations for allegedly siding with Pakistan during recent tensions with India.
“In solidarity with our nation and out of deep respect for our armed forces, we strongly support this sentiment and advise against all non-essential travel to Azerbaijan and Turkey,” an MMT spokesperson said. “We have already discontinued all promotions and offers related to these destinations.”
Social media has played a major role in fuelling the boycott, with hashtags like #BoycottTurkey, #BoycottAzerbaijan, and #BoycottTurkeyAzerbaijan trending heavily across Indian platforms, particularly on X (formerly Twitter). Many users shared screenshots of cancelled flight tickets and hotel reservations, calling it a “small but patriotic gesture.”
Tourism Bodies and Celebrities Join In
Subhash Goyal, chairman of the Tourism Committee at the Indian Chamber of Commerce, echoed public sentiment, stating:
“All tourism associations stand firmly with the nation and our armed forces. Tourism to these countries could see a 50-60% drop.”
He also highlighted potential security risks for Indian travellers, urging the Indian government to issue an official travel advisory.
Actor Rupali Ganguly, best known for her role in Anupamaa, also joined the chorus on X, urging celebrities and influencers to cancel Turkey travel plans:
“This is the least we can do as Indians. #BoycottTurkey.”
International Responses and Economic Impact
In response, a letter from Türkiye’s tourism department went viral on social media, assuring Indian travellers that no restrictions or safety concerns exist and urging tourists not to cancel plans. Despite this, the boycott has already begun to affect more than just the travel sector.
Wider Boycott of Turkish Goods
The Delhi Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) launched a broader protest campaign on Monday, urging traders to boycott all goods imported from Turkey and China. Protests have already erupted in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Pune, and Udaipur, where Turkish apples were removed from store shelves and Turkish marble banned by local traders.
Meanwhile, questions are being raised about IndiGo Airlines’ codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines, as pressure mounts on corporations to align with public sentiment.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the economic and diplomatic ripples from this boycott are only beginning to be felt.
