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New Delhi: India’s Travel Agents Association (ITAA) has announced a significant boycott of tourism to Turkey and Azerbaijan, marking a substantial escalation in the fallout from escalating geopolitical tensions. This move, which has already resulted in approximately 50% cancellation of existing bookings and a halt in sales by major tour operators, signals a deep-seated dissatisfaction within the Indian travel industry regarding Turkey’s actions.
The ITAAs decision is driven by concerns over what it perceives as unfriendly behaviour from Turkey towards India. This includes, but is not limited to, the use of drones, perceived as harming the Indian travel industry. The association underlines the significant economic relationship between India and both Turkey and Azerbaijan.
In 2024 alone, an estimated 330,000 Indian citizens travelled to Turkey, showcasing the considerable financial stake held by India in these tourism markets. Furthermore, the ITAA points to a trade investment of approximately 400 billion rupees, underscoring the extensive economic entanglement.
The boycott has immediate and substantial repercussions. Major tour operators have suspended the sale of packages, and many individuals have cancelled existing travel plans. While the ITAA acknowledges that tourism is a dynamic sector with a propensity to recover from political setbacks, as seen with the Maldives after the COVID-19 pandemic, the scale of this boycott highlights the gravity of the current situation.
The association stresses that the decision is based on the perceived lack of security and confidence amongst Indian travellers, directly impacting the tourism sector’s core values of fostering peace and people-to-people connections.
The ITAA’s action awaits a formal response from the Indian government, which will likely influence the long-term consequences of the boycott. The current ambiguity leaves many travel agents in a state of uncertainty. Government policy on travel visas and increased flight frequencies could act as a counterbalance, but the immediate effect of the ITAA’s action remains significant.
The association concludes by asserting that the boycott aims to demonstrate India’s displeasure at Turkey’s behaviour and hopes this will lead to a shift in the geopolitical environment conducive to the restoration of tourism to the affected countries.
Aditi Saraswat
Aditi Saraswat is a Sub-Editor at TV9 Digital, contributing to a wide range of topics in the lifestyle section. A graduate of Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, Bhopal, she brings a strong foundation in journalism to her role. With experience in writing education stories and exclusive features, Aditi focuses on delivering accurate, engaging, and reader-friendly content across diverse subjects.
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