India’s outbound travel market is incredibly lucrative. And the Maldives learned this the hard way after one of their ministers made disparaging remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The backlash from Indian travellers was swift, leading to a sharp decline in tourism and a significant hit to the country’s economy.
Now, Indian tourists are once again making their disapproval known by turning away from destinations that are not aligned with India’s national interests.
A spokesperson from MakeMyTrip, a leading Indian travel platform, confirmed this shift, stating that “Indian travellers have expressed strong sentiments over the past week, with bookings for Azerbaijan and Turkey dropping by 60%, while cancellations surged by 250% during the same period.”
In response to these sentiments, MakeMyTrip has taken a strong stance: “In solidarity with our nation and out of deep respect for our armed forces, we strongly support this sentiment and advise against 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,” the spokesperson told CNBC-TV18.
This reaction comes amidst a surge in patriotic sentiment and a call for national unity in the face of geopolitical tensions. While the boycott may be symbolic, its economic impact is expected to be significant, reflecting both consumer choices and national sentiment.
Social media platforms have amplified the boycott, with hashtags like #BoycottTurkey and #BoycottAzerbaijan trending. Many users are encouraging their fellow Indians to shift their focus to domestic tourism, urging them to explore lesser-known destinations within India as a gesture of solidarity.
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While the impact on Turkey and Azerbaijan’s inbound Indian tourist numbers is immediate, the long-term implications will depend on how the political situation evolves.
For now, Indian citizens are choosing principle over leisure, making it clear that international support for adversaries will come at a cost, especially when it comes to one of the world’s fastest-growing travel markets. As the diplomatic climate remains uncertain, one thing is for sure that Indians have united to take a firm patriotic stance.
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