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Now Indian destination weddings exit Turkey. How much will it cost the nation?
Amid calls to boycott Turkey over its support for Pakistan, the former is witnessing massive cancellations by Indian wedding planners and families. Turkey has been a popular choice for destination weddings in India. It generated a tourism revenue of nearly $150 million in 2024 alone read more
In 2024 alone, Turkey hosted 50 grand Indian weddings, each averaging $3 million. However, following a recent diplomatic standoff triggered by India's 'Operation Sindoor' and Turkey's support for Pakistan, Indian wedding planners and families are now pulling out en masse. Image courtesy: Image for Representation. Pixabay
Over the years, Turkey has become a dream destination for many Indian weddings, with its luxurious resorts, scenic venues, and warm hospitality offering the perfect blend of East-meets-West celebration.
However, that equation now seems to be changing.
Following a recent diplomatic standoff triggered by India's 'Operation Sindoor' and Turkey's support for Pakistan, Indian wedding planners and families are now pulling out en masse.
The result? A wave of high-profile cancellations has threatened to unravel years of growth that Turkey's thriving luxury tourism sector has seen.
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'Indian wedding travellers contribute over $140 million annually to Turkey's tourism economy, and the impact of this shift is seismic,' Nikhil Mahajan, Senior Representative at Kestone Utsav, an Indian wedding planning firm, told Financial Express.
So, how big is the Indian wedding market in Turkey? And what ripple effects could this rift leave behind? Here's a closer look.
How Turkey became a desi-wedding wonderland
From Istanbul's palaces to the turquoise coastline of Bodrum, Turkey had fast become a dream destination for Indian couples craving grandeur without blowing the budget out of proportion.
In 2024 alone, Turkey hosted 50 grand Indian weddings, each averaging $3 million, with a few reaching up to $8 million.
These weren't just ceremonies; they were elaborate, multi-day celebrations. Most weddings hosted around 500 guests, who stayed for three nights and enjoyed everything from VIP airport transfers and five-star resorts to celebrity performers and gourmet spreads, contributing significantly to local vendors and tourism-linked businesses.
Over the years, the Indian wedding market had exploded in Turkey, growing nearly 300 per cent — from just 13 weddings in 2018 to 50 in 2024. Image for Representation. Pixabay
According to industry data, a typical Indian wedding package for 100 guests started at €350,000 (around $385,000), a figure that easily outstrips the average Turkish wedding, which typically ranges between $1,600 and $5,400.
Over the years, the Indian wedding market had exploded in Turkey, growing nearly 300 per cent — from just 13 weddings in 2018 to 50 in 2024. They generated a tourism revenue of nearly $150 million in the last year alone.
The flourishing industry was on track to hit similar numbers in 2025, until the boycott disrupted everything.
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How the boycott could hit Turkey's wedding biz
Turkey's public alignment with Pakistan in the India-Pakistan standoff has triggered a sharp backlash from Indian wedding planners and families.
In May 2025 alone, around 2,000 tourist bookings were cancelled, and 30 out of the 50 planned Indian weddings for the year now hang in the balance.
Given that each Indian wedding in Turkey is typically worth around $3 million, the country could be staring at direct losses of up to $90 million, according to The Financial Express.
But the impact goes far beyond just financials. Indian weddings are large-scale productions that employ hundreds of local vendors — from florists and chefs to photographers and transport providers. Over the years, they've also helped position Turkey as a go-to destination for luxury celebrations, bringing with them international visibility and future tourism from wedding guests.
'These weddings featured celebrities and business elites, offering marketing value that money can't buy,' Mahajan noted.
In May 2025 alone, around 2,000 tourist bookings were cancelled, and 30 out of the 50 planned Indian weddings for the year now hang in the balance. File image/Reuters
To make matters worse, the boycott has come right in the middle of peak wedding season. Typically, 60 per cent of Indian weddings take place between May and December, a window now under threat. Turkey risks losing a premium clientele that has consistently delivered high-value returns.
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Where are Indians planning to go then?
As per Mahajan, 'Families [are] increasingly exploring alternative international locations like Italy and the UAE. Simultaneously, there's a strong resurgence in demand for Indian destinations such as Udaipur, Jaipur, Goa, and Kerala, places that offer grandeur, accessibility, and cultural resonance.'
These locations, he adds, reflect shifting preferences, focusing more on safety, ease of travel, and meaningful cultural experiences.
Tourism industry to feel the ripple effects
As the Indian wedding market in Turkey begins to shrink, the ripple effects are expected to hit the broader tourism industry , one that earned a hefty $61.1 billion in 2024.
According to data from Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, 3,30,000 Indians visited the country last year, a massive leap from just 1,19,503 in 2014.
But with rising calls to boycott both Turkey and Azerbaijan, countries that have openly sided with Pakistan, Indian travellers are starting to steer clear of these once-popular destinations.
Tourists and commuters sail through Bosphorus on a ferry in Istanbul, Turkey, April 23, 2025. File Photo/Reuters
Govind Gaur, CEO of D2C travel tech firm WanderOn, told Moneycontrol that cancellations are already pouring in. 'Over 50 per cent drop in bookings is expected from India to Azerbaijan and Turkey. India is one of the biggest markets after China for the destinations,' he said.
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He also believes the financial blow to both countries could be even more severe than the fallout from the Maldives boycott in 2024, which followed derogatory remarks made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi by some Maldivian ministers.
'I see a much larger impact as compared to the Maldives. Baku or Azerbaijan is on travellers' minds because of Indian tourists. Last year, they had the highest number of people travelling to Azerbaijan from India. There won't be any new bookings and this is peak season time for them. Turkish Airlines will also see a significant impact because they are already boycotting the airline. We will see a much larger impact on them in the coming days,' Gaur added.
It's not just tourism and weddings that are pulling out, Bollywood may soon follow.
This week, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) urged Indian filmmakers to rethink Turkey as a shooting destination.
'We therefore appeal to all production houses, line producers, actors, directors, and crew members across the Indian film fraternity to stand in solidarity with the nation and boycott Turkey as a location for film shoots until such time that the country revisits its diplomatic stance and aligns with principles of mutual respect and non-interference,' FWICE said in a press release.
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All signs point to a significant fallout for Turkey, with losses stretching far beyond cancelled weddings.
With input from agencies
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