Latest news with #BoycottAzerbaijan
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India boycotts Turkey: Jamia Millia Islamia, MakeMyTrip, Udaipur traders cancel ties over pro-Pakistan stance; here's what we know
Jamia Millia Islamia University in Delhi announced on social media that it has suspended all Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with any Turkish government-affiliated institutions. The move, effective immediately, was attributed to 'national security considerations.' The university said it 'stands firmly with the Nation' and did not specify when or if the MoUs would be restored. Moreover, the Indian government has also canceled the security clearance of Turkish ground handling company, Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd. Travel industry sees rising cancellations to Turkey and Azerbaijan The sentiment against Turkey and Azerbaijan is also visible in India's travel sector. Travel portal MakeMyTrip reported that bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan have dropped by 60%, while cancellations increased by 250%. While the platform continues to offer bookings to these countries, it issued a statement supporting national sentiment and discouraging non-essential travel to both destinations. EaseMyTrip, another major travel portal, had issued a similar advisory on May 9. Founder Nishant Pitti had publicly urged travellers to avoid Turkey and Azerbaijan due to their support for Pakistan. The company has not suspended existing bookings but reported a 22% cancellation rate for Turkey and over 30% for Azerbaijan. Turkey and Azerbaijan remain major destinations for Indian tourists—Turkey received 3.3 lakh Indian visitors in 2024, while Azerbaijan welcomed over 2.4 lakh. Despite this, the boycott has led to reduced bookings and increased awareness across social media, where hashtags like #BoycottTurkey and #BoycottAzerbaijan have been trending since May 11. Traders halt Turkish imports, push for sanctions The campaign has also reached trade associations in India. In Udaipur, the marble processors association has stopped importing marble from Turkey, which accounts for 70% of India's marble imports—valued at around Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 crore annually. Association president Kapil Surana said that all members agreed to the decision and have written to the Prime Minister urging formal sanctions. 'We fully support the historic decisions he has taken in the last few days,' Surana said, referring to India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack. General secretary Hitesh Patel added that national interest must come before business. In Pune, traders have also joined the call by boycotting Turkish apples, contributing to the broader boycott movement that has gained support from political parties like Shiv Sena. The party had earlier called for an end to IndiGo's codeshare with Turkish Airlines and urged citizens to stop flying with the airline altogether. Public and private sectors echo boycott calls From academic institutions like Jamia Millia to private companies and local trader groups, the response to Turkey and Azerbaijan's stance on Pakistan has triggered a coordinated backlash across India. As the political tension continues, calls for boycotts are being echoed both online and offline, with institutions taking visible steps in response to public sentiment.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Turkey, not so hot?
Social media is abuzz with #BoycottTurkey and #BoycottAzerbaijan 'Don't go to Turkey' Social media is abuzz with #BoycottTurkey and #BoycottAzerbaijan, after both the countries publicly supported Pakistan during India's military retaliation following the Pahalgam terror attack. While Turkey has long been a favourite among Indian travellers, many are reconsidering their trips or actively choosing alternative destinations like Greece and Armenia. 'Go to Greece instead' What's the alternative? Many are suggesting Greece — and even Greek journalists are encouraging Indian travellers to reconsider their plans. 'Why travel to Turkey when you can come to Greece? We are friendly to India (and ranked the friendliest country in the world by Forbes), have idyllic islands, a plethora of Bronze Age to medieval history, sleepy villages & A LOT of veg food — why even consider Turkey (sic)?' wrote Paul Antonopoulos, a Greek journalist, on X. 'Greece and Armenia are viable alternatives due to their historical ties with India, cultural richness, and affordability' 'Bookings for Turkey and Azerbaijan down by 60%, while cancellations have surged by 250%' Indian travellers have expressed strong sentiments over the past one week, with bookings for Azerbaijan and Turkey decreasing by 60%, while cancellations have surged by 250% during the same period. In solidarity with our nation and out of deep respect for our armed forces, we strongly support this sentiment and advise all against all non-essential travel to Azerbaijan and Turkey. We have already discontinued all promotions and offers on our platform to discourage tourism to these two destinations. – MakeMyTrip spokesperson 'Noticeable trend among Indians shifting from Turkey, Azerbaijan to Greece & Armenia' There's a noticeable trend among Indian travellers shifting from Turkey and Azerbaijan to destinations like Greece and Armenia. This is largely due to geopolitical tensions and calls for boycotts against Turkey and Azerbaijan, leading OTAs are actively recommending alternative destinations that are perceived as more welcoming and politically neutral. In addition to Greece and Armenia, Indian travellers are exploring destinations like Georgia, Serbia, Greece, Thailand, and Vietnam. These countries offer rich cultural experiences, historical sites, and are generally considered safe and affordable, making them attractive alternatives for those reconsidering travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan. – Rikant Pittie, CEO and Co-Founder, EaseMyTrip Over the past week, Indian travellers have made their sentiments clear, with cancellations rising by 260%. In solidarity with the nation and in the interest of standing together during this time, we urge everyone to defer all non-essential travel to Turkey & Azerbaijan - Cleartrip Greece, please! 'Greece and Armenia are viable alternatives due to their historical ties with India, cultural richness, and affordability. Greece offers a blend of ancient history and scenic beauty, while Armenia provides a unique cultural experience with its monasteries and landscapes. Both countries have simplified visa processes for Indian travellers, enhancing their appeal,' shares Rikant Pittie. VISAS & TRAVEL ACCESSIBILITY Turkey E-visa available for Indian passport holders with valid US/ UK/Schengen visas. Otherwise, regular visa processing is straightforward and takes 10–15 days. Direct flights and affordability make it appealing — until now. Greece Part of the Schengen zone. Visa processing can be long, with delays and high rejection rates, especially during peak seasons. No direct flights from India, and trips tend to be more expensive. 'These alternative options are not always viable. It's not easy to boycott Turkey and immediately switch plans to another European country, including Greece. The Schengen visa process is time-consuming, with long wait times and complex paperwork,' points out Akash Rastogi, Director at Argosy Travels, Gurgaon. 'A seven-day trip to Greece from India typically ranges between ₹1.5 to ₹2 lakh per person, depending on the season and accommodation choices. Armenia is relatively more affordable, with lower costs for accommodation, food, and local transportation, making it an economical choice for budget-conscious travellers,' says Rikant Pittie. 'Not many are canceling trips to Turkey or Turkish Airlines bookings' 'The trend we're witnessing is that while travellers are avoiding Azerbaijan, Turkey remains popular. Not many are canceling trips to Turkey or Turkish Airlines bookings, especially since Istanbul is a major hub for connecting flights into Europe. Alternative destinations like Georgia, Uzbekistan, and Armenia offer similar pricing, but language barriers and scams are common. Travellers should book through trusted, government-approved operators, carry insurance, and use apps like Bolt or Uber within cities,' confirms Akash Rastogi. 'While some travellers are reconsidering plans, we've only seen minimal cancellations' According to Hari Ganapathy, co-founder of Pickyourtrail, 'While some travellers are reconsidering plans, we've only seen minimal cancellations. With clear, real-time updates, we've been able to help travellers make well-informed adjustments rather than hasty changes.' Future-Proof Your Child with AI Skills | Limited Early Bird Seats – 33% OFF! | WhatsApp: 9560500838
New Indian Express
13-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Massive trip cancellations to Turkey and Azerbaijan after Indians asked to prove patriotism
NEW DELHI: A concerted online campaign recently to boycott travel from India to Turkey and Azerbaijan in light of their open support to Pakistan during the ongoing confrontation has had its desired impact. Thousands across the country have cancelled their travel plans to these two countries while ticket booking platforms and travel operators have stopped bookings to these countries. IndiGo airlines too has come under fire for continuing its codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines. These three hashtags were trending in India since Monday (May 11) - #BoycottTurkey, #BoycottAzerbaijan and #BoycottTurkeyAzerjbaijan. Many on X also gave recommendations to travel to beautiful Greece or Armenia instead. Multiple people responded with comments about tickets cancelled by them or their friends or relatives as a patriotic gesture. A family from Mumbai cancelled their vacation to Turkey after watching news about that nation's support for Pakistan. A person privy to the family's changed plan said, "During a dinner table conversation, their 10-year-old son asked his parents why they were going to Turkey when they were joining hands with India's enemy. The child's comment shocked them. They then discussed the issue and decided to drop their travel plans. They are now looking at other options."
Hindustan Times
09-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Operation Sindoor: ‘Boycott Azerbaijan, Turkey' calls take over social media
For many Indian travellers, Azerbaijan and Turkey had fast become favourites — with their history, architecture and relatively accessible travel options. But a shift in geopolitical winds is now casting a shadow on holiday plans. It began in the wake of Operation Sindoor, India's decisive military response to the heinous terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians. The operation targeted terror camps deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), sending a strong message against cross-border terrorism. In the aftermath, Azerbaijan's foreign ministry issued a statement backing Pakistan, saying, 'We stand in solidarity with the people of Pakistan.' Turkey soon followed with similar remarks. Well, #BoycottAzerbaijan has begun trending across social media platforms, with users demanding why Indian travellers should spend their money in countries that openly support adversaries of the nation. Many not only cancelled trips but also urged fellow citizens to reconsider travel plans, calling for a show of unity through economic choices. This backlash could derail a growing tourism trend. Turkey welcomed around 2,70,000 Indian tourists in 2024 and was expecting 350,000 visitors in 2025, according to Turkish tourism authorities — a 20.7% year-on-year jump. Those projections may now be under threat. Several companies in the Indian travel ecosystem have already taken action: Goa Villas, a homestay company, announced it had cut ties with Turkish Airlines and would no longer accommodate Turkish citizens. EaseMyTrip, one of India's largest travel platforms, advised travellers to avoid Turkey and Azerbaijan, citing security and diplomatic concerns. Pickyourtrail, a customised holiday platform, paused all bookings to both countries as a symbolic move against their public support for Pakistan. 'There's genuine concern among our clients,' said travel agent Loretta Nadar of Made in Banaras, who cancelled a group tour to Azerbaijan and Turkey: 'We refunded everyone and stopped dealing with agents from those regions.' Even, Karan Agarwal, Director, Cox & Kings, said, "Given recent developments, we're pausing all new travel offerings to Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Turkey. We urge Indian travellers to avoid non-essential trips to these destinations until the geopolitical situation becomes clearer and more aligned with national interests. Not everyone is pressing pause. EK Gupta of Soul Voyage believes this may be a temporary phase. 'Tourists will go where they want. It's their choice. Our job is not to police their travel decisions.' Meanwhile, some travellers currently in the region report no visible threat on the ground. 'We've been safe and people have been helpful,' said Pratishtha Kaura, currently holidaying in Turkey. Arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before departure Confirm your flight status in advance Carry a valid government photo ID Follow updated baggage rules (one cabin bag, up to 7kg) Prepare for heightened security checks under SLPC protocols Don't cut it close to your flight time Avoid carrying prohibited items Don't bring visitors into the terminal Never skip security instructions, no matter how routine they are
