MakeMyTrip has pulled promotions and offers for Azerbaijan and Turkey on its platform following calls for a boycott over the sale of tour packages to these countries. The backlash stems from calls by Indians to boycott travel to these destinations after both countries stood in solidarity with Pakistan following Operation Sindoor, which India launched in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack. In a statement to FinancialExpress.com, a company spokesperson said the decision was driven by the “strong sentiments” observed over the past week.
MakeMyTrip also noted a significant shift in travel trends, reporting a 250% surge in cancellations and a 60% drop in bookings to both destinations within just one week.
“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,” a MakeMyTrip spokesperson told FinancialExpress.com.
The company also advised its customers against travelling to these countries, unless absolutely necessary.
The spokesperson added, “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,” the spokesperson further said.
Both the Republic of Turkiye and Azerbaijan have issued statements condemning Indian’s Operation Sindoor carried out against Pakistan’s terror hotbeds following the April 22 attack on tourists in the Valley.
Turkey backed Pakistan and also urged it to “refrain from unilateral actions”.
“The attack carried out by India last night (6 May) raises the risk of an all-out war. We condemn such provocative steps as well as attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure,” said the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement dated May 7.
It further stated, “We call on the parties to exercise common sense and refrain from unilateral actions. We expect that measures will be taken to reduce tensions in the region as soon as possible and that the necessary mechanisms, including in the field of counter-terrorism, will be put in place to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents,” before adding, “We also support Pakistan’s call for an investigation into the 22 April terrorist attack.”
Azerbaijan, too, expressed solidarity with the people of Pakistan and called on both India and Pakistan to resolve the conflict with “diplomatic means”.
“The Republic of Azerbaijan expresses its concern over the further escalation of tension between the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. We condemn military attacks against the Islamic Republic of Pakistan that killed and injured several civilians. Being in solidarity with the people of Pakistan, we express condolences to the families of the innocent victims and wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Azerbaijan, said in a statement.
It added, “We call on all parties to exercise restraint and to resolve the conflict through diplomatic means.”
Earlier, ixigo halted flight and hotel bookings to Turkey, Azerbaijan and China. In a statement, ixigo said, “For the love of our nation, we stand untied.”
“In solidarity with our nation, ixigo is suspending flight and hotel bookings for Turkey, Azerbaijan and China,” it further said, before adding, “Because when it comes to Bharat, we don’t think twice. Jai Hind.”
Other notable travel booking platforms, namely EaseMyTrip and Cox and Kings, have also announced the suspension of hotel and flight booking services to the same three nations.