In a strong display of national solidarity, several Indian travel companies have taken significant steps against Turkey, Azerbaijan, and China, following these countries’ perceived support for Pakistan amid the rising tensions between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack.
On Saturday, Aloke Bajpai, Group CEO of online travel portal Ixigo, announced that the company has suspended all flight and hotel bookings to Turkey, Azerbaijan, and China. The decision follows growing public anger over the perceived alignment of these nations with Pakistan in the wake of the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Bajpai declared, “Enough is Enough! Blood and Bookings won’t flow together. We are suspending all flight and hotel bookings for Turkey, China and Azerbaijan on Ixigo.”
Ixigo’s official X account also released a statement reinforcing the move. “In solidarity with our nation, Ixigo is suspending flight and hotel bookings for Turkey, Azerbaijan, and China. Because when it comes to Bharat, we don't think twice. Jai Hind.”
EaseMyTrip Issues Advisory
EaseMyTrip, another prominent Indian travel platform, issued a travel advisory urging customers to avoid non-essential travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan. The advisory linked the decision directly to the countries' support for Pakistan amid ongoing India-Pakistan tensions.
“Travel Advisory!!! Following the Pahalgam attack and escalating tensions between India & Pakistan, travellers are urged to stay aware. As Turkey & Azerbaijan have shown support for Pakistan, we strongly recommend visiting only if absolutely necessary. Stay informed. Travel responsibly,” the company wrote on social media.
EaseMyTrip also posted screenshots from its platform showing alerts on hotel listings in Turkey and Azerbaijan. These messages warned customers to reconsider travel, stating: “We encourage travel to these countries only if necessary. Stay informed and make responsible decisions.”
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Industry-Wide Repercussions
The response has not been limited to booking platforms. Go Homestays, an Indian accommodation brand, announced it was severing ties with Turkish Airlines. “We are officially ending our partnership with Turkish Airlines due to their unsupportive stance towards India. Going forward, we will no longer include their flights in our international travel packages. Jai Hind,” the company said in a statement.
In a similar move, Goa Villas, a luxury vacation rental company, announced it would no longer accept Turkish nationals as guests. “Due to Turkey’s non-cooperative stance in the current global scenario involving India and Pakistan, we’ve decided not to offer any accommodation services to Turkish citizens in Goa. We stand firmly with our nation,” the statement read.
Triggered by Pahalgam Terror Attack
The coordinated backlash from the Indian travel industry comes in response to the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in the loss of 26 civilian lives. Indian authorities have blamed the attack on Pakistan-based terrorist groups. Subsequent expressions of support for Pakistan from Turkey and Azerbaijan have sparked public outrage in India, prompting these corporate actions.
The developments underscore how geopolitical tensions are now resonating across sectors, with Indian companies responding swiftly and decisively to perceived anti-India sentiments on the global stage.
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