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Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
'Visit only if necessary': Gujarat travel agents advise against trips to Turkey, Azerbaijan
AHMEDABAD: Travel agents across Gujarat have begun advising international passengers against planning trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan, as tensions between India and Pakistan flare up in the wake of Operation Sindoor. The diplomatic fallout has spilled into the travel sector, with travel agencies dissuading tourists from visiting the countries unless absolutely essential. Turkey and Azerbaijan, long favoured by Indian tourists for their cultural experiences and picturesque locales—Baku, in particular, emerging as a trendy destination—have now found themselves in the eye of a political storm. Calls for boycotting the two nations have grown louder across social media and public discourse, leading to major online platforms and travel agents pulling the plug on travel promotions for these destinations. Several travel platforms, including EaseMyTrip, have issued cautionary advisories. '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 said in a statement. Local travel operators in Gujarat echoed similar sentiments, urging passengers to reconsider or defer plans involving these countries in the current geopolitical climate. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Complete protection with iPru All-in-one Term Plan ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo 'At a meeting of national TAFI members on Saturday, members across states expressed growing concern about traveller sentiment towards countries like Turkey and Azerbaijan. There is a clear shift — travel industry players are ready to boycott these destinations. Turkey and Baku had become easy-sell locations for Indian tourists due to affordable packages and relaxed visa norms, making them accessible across all budgets. In fact, last year, at least 50-55% of total international travellers went to Turkey and Azerbaijan,' said Ankit Bajaj, a senior TAFI member and a travel expert based in Ahmedabad. Travel industry insiders note that while cancellations and rerouted plans may cause a temporary dip in outbound traffic, safety and national sentiment are currently guiding customer choices. 'One of our groups which was travelling to Turkey cancelled their plans recently largely due to uncertainty and also the country's geopolitical stand. Other clients are pretty much travelling to other destinations but concerns certainly remain. So as an agency, we're doubly ensuring that local transportation, flights and accommodations are well in place,' said Payal Shah, founder of a travel company. 'Gujarat's travel industry has seen a major blow thanks to the recent terror attacks in Pahalgam followed by escalated border tensions. Summer is the peak travel season which accounts for about 60% of our annual revenues at travel companies. However, the safety concerns, followed by airport shutdowns and escalated border tensions, have impacted tourism sentiment in a big way. As a result, last-minute cancellations are aplenty. We will lose out on about 70% of our revenue from the season,' explained an Ahmedabad-based travel expert.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Time of India
Summer airfares from Ahmedabad skyrocket
1 2 3 Ahmedabad: Planning a last minute escape from the scathing Ahmedabad summer? Brace yourself for sky-high airfares . As schools shut and families prepare for long-overdue holidays, ticket prices from Ahmedabad to vacation hotspots have soared — with some destinations seeing more than a 100% jump when booked two weeks in advance. According to current fare data for travel between May 18 and May 24, bookings made on May 3 reveal staggering spikes up to 134%. For instance, Bagdogra, the gateway to the North-East and hill towns like Darjeeling, tops the list with a 134% hike as fares have rocketed from Rs 14,000 to Rs 32,780. Surprisingly, despite the recent terror attack, round trip to Srinagar costs up to Rs 23,750 per person against the routine fare of Rs 13,000. Industry sources said that Srinagar airfare has corrected from the level of Rs 42,000 per person for a return direct flight. Similarly, a trip to Dehradun, a favourite among those heading to Mussoorie or Rishikesh, now costs Rs 17,415, up 45% from the average non-holiday tarrif of Rs 12,000. Southern sojourns aren't spared either. A ticket to Kochi has risen from Rs 13,000 to Rs 18,299 (40.8% increase), while Bengaluru sees a 41.6% hike. Even the otherwise moderate Chandigarh route now demands Rs 13,190 — up 31.9% from regular fares. "Summer airfares are significantly higher this year, especially to destinations with cooler climates. People who earlier planned trips to Kashmir are now diverting to places like Gangtok, Jim Corbett, or Sikkim. With fewer choosing international travel — thanks to inflation, steep currency exchange rates, and visa hassles — demand for domestic spots like Munnar, Coorg, Mussoorie, and Darjeeling has soared. As a result, not just flight fares but even hotel tariffs have gone up by 25–40% in these regions," said Ankit Bajaj, a travel consultant. "The Srinagar airfare still remaining as high is surprising and we're seeing a wait-and-watch sentiment around Kashmir. But people aren't cancelling holidays — they're choosing alternative destinations. The higher airfares could be due to limited connectivity to the region," Ankit Bajaj, a travel consultant said. The only silver lining? Goa. Despite being a perennial favourite, airfares to the beach paradise have remained relatively stable, inching up a mere 5.7%, from Rs 7,000 to Rs 7,400. However, fewer people have flocked to Goa this year due to the summer heat, according to travel industry estimates, which has cooled off prices. "Those who got refunds from airlines are quickly rebooking for destinations accessible via Bengaluru, Kochi, Chandigarh, Delhi, or Bagdogra. Arunachal Pradesh is also one of the destinations which is very popular among tourists. With international travel out of reach for many due to costs and logistics, domestic tourism is booming, especially to places promising a cooler escape from the heat," said Manish Sharma, an Ahmedabad-based travel expert. Experts advise booking tickets at least a month in advance during peak travel periods to avoid the heat on the wallet. Alternatively, opting for midweek departures or early morning flights can offer minor savings. So, if you're dreaming of snow-capped hills or coastal breezes, make haste — or prepare to spend a small fortune.
