NEW DELHI- Indian tourists have begun cancelling their holiday plans to Turkey and Azerbaijan following diplomatic tensions that emerged after Operation Sindoor.
The conflict intensified when both Turkey and Azerbaijan publicly expressed support for Pakistan, prompting Indian travellers to seek alternative destinations for their summer holidays.
Monument in Azerbaijan; Photo- WikipediaIndians Avoid Turkey and Azerbaijan
Travel industry experts report that the diplomatic fallout has significantly shifted Indian tourism patterns. Visa processing platform Atlys documented the immediate impact of these geopolitical developments on travel behaviour.
The company recorded a sharp 42% decline in visa applications to Turkey and Azerbaijan within 10 days of the countries’ statements supporting Pakistan.
The reversal in travel interest occurred rapidly after the diplomatic tensions surfaced.
Within 36 hours of Turkey and Azerbaijan’s public support for Pakistan, the number of users abandoning their visa application processes midway increased by 60%.
During the first quarter of 2025, visa applications to Turkey and Azerbaijan increased by nearly 64% compared to the same period in 2024. Popular destinations, including Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Baku, emerged as preferred choices for Indian travellers seeking affordable options with convenient short-haul flights.
The cancellation patterns revealed interesting demographic trends. Group visa requests, particularly family trips, experienced the steepest decline at 49%. Solo travellers and couples showed more moderate reductions in applications, with decreases of 27%.
Grand Bazaar, Istanbul; Photo- PexelsAlternative Destinations
Travel industry professionals identified several countries that have benefited from the shift away from Turkey and Azerbaijan. Central Asian nations, particularly Kazakhstan, have captured increased attention from Indian tourists. Georgia and Armenia have emerged as preferred alternatives to Azerbaijan, offering similar cultural experiences without the diplomatic complications.
Egypt and Jordan have positioned themselves as replacements for Turkey in Indian travel itineraries.
Subhash Goel, Chairman of STIC Travel Group and President of the Indian Association of Tour Operators, observed that travellers actively seek “geopolitically aligned and friendly countries.” The shift demonstrates how political considerations increasingly influence tourism decisions among Indian travellers.
Narikala Tiflis, a cultural heritage monument in Georgia; Photo- WikipediaSoutheast Asian Options
Despite challenging weather conditions, Southeast Asian countries have experienced increased interest from Indian tourists. Vietnam, Indonesia, and Cambodia have recorded application increases of up to 31% in the days following the diplomatic tensions. These visa-free destinations offer Indian travellers convenient alternatives, though the hot summer weather presents challenges for some visitors.
Ajay Prakash, Chief Executive of Mumbai-based Nomad Travels and Vice Chairman of the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality, noted increased inquiries for eastern countries and the UAE. However, he acknowledged that the approaching hot season in these regions would influence final booking decisions.
Traditional Southeast Asian favourites, including Thailand and Malaysia, continue attracting Indian tourists.
Notre-Dame Basilica, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Photo- WikipediaEuropean Destinations
European countries have struggled to capitalise on the shift away from Turkey and Azerbaijan due to persistent visa processing delays. Indian nationals currently face several months of waiting time for visa appointments to popular Schengen countries, including Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. These delays make summer travel to Europe practically impossible for many Indian tourists.
The visa appointment shortage represents a significant missed opportunity for European tourism industries. Prakash suggested that Schengen states should invest in faster visa processing capabilities to capture the growing Indian travel market. The current bottleneck prevents Europe from benefiting from the redirection of Indian tourism away from Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Munich, Bayern, Germany; Photo- Prokrust 007; Wikimedia CommonsTourism Statistics
Recent tourism statistics highlight the significance of the potential shift in Indian travel patterns. Turkey welcomed approximately 300,000 Indian tourists in 2024, while Azerbaijan received 244,000 Indian visitors. The redirection of even a portion of these numbers represents substantial opportunities for alternative destinations.
Emerging destinations have already established growing relationships with Indian tourists. Armenia received approximately 43,672 Indian visitors in 2024, while Georgia welcomed 124,000 Indian nationals. Egypt attracted 150,000 Indian tourists, and Jordan hosted 70,000 Indian visitors during the same period.
Industry sources predict that Central Asian countries, particularly Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, will capture significant portions of the redirected tourism flow. These destinations offer unique cultural experiences and remain politically neutral in regional conflicts.
Almaty, Kazakhstan; Photo- Ninara from Helsinki, Finland; Wikimedia CommonsMarket Adaptation
Travel booking platforms have responded quickly to changing consumer sentiment. Several portals report notable drops in bookings for Turkey and Azerbaijan, accompanied by increased cancellation requests.
Some Indian travel service providers have discontinued flight and hotel booking services for these countries entirely.
Other travel companies have adopted more cautious approaches, actively discouraging Indian travellers from visiting Turkey and Azerbaijan while promoting alternative destinations. This industry response reflects the broader sentiment shift among Indian consumers following the diplomatic tensions.
The travel industry’s rapid adaptation demonstrates the immediate impact of geopolitical developments on tourism patterns. Companies have recognised that consumer sentiment regarding international relations directly influences travel decision-making processes among Indian tourists.
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