Travel Firms Urge Indians to Not Visit Turkey & Azerbaijan Over Supporting Pakistan
In the midst of the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan, travel firms have taken a strong stance by urging Indians not to visit Turkey and Azerbaijan. The decision comes after the two countries publicly supported Pakistan in the conflict. This move has sent shockwaves through the travel industry, with several major tour operators suspending bookings for these destinations.
Travel Firms Take a Stand
Four major travel firms, Pickyourtrail, EaseMyTrip, WanderOn, and Cox & Kings, have collectively decided to stop accepting bookings for Turkey and Azerbaijan. WanderOn, a travel company specializing in customized tours, has taken the most drastic measure by closing its bookings for these destinations altogether. “We have closed the bookings for these two places, and we are not making any new bookings,” a spokesperson from WanderOn revealed.
EaseMyTrip, a popular online travel agency, has also stopped selling packages to Turkey and Azerbaijan. In a statement, the company said, “We understand the current sentiments and have decided to suspend our bookings for these destinations until the situation improves.”
Pickyourtrail, another prominent travel firm, has also taken a similar stance. The company has halted its bookings for Turkey and Azerbaijan, citing the need to consider the sentiments of its customers. Cox & Kings, a well-established tour operator, has not made any official statement on the matter, but sources close to the company have confirmed that it has also suspended bookings for these destinations.
Impact on Tourism
The decision by these travel firms is likely to have a significant impact on tourism in Turkey and Azerbaijan. Both countries are popular tourist destinations, known for their rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. Turkey, in particular, is famous for its ancient cities, historical landmarks, and vibrant culture, while Azerbaijan is admired for its stunning landscapes, modern architecture, and rich oil reserves.
The suspension of bookings is likely to result in a significant loss of revenue for the tourism industry in both countries. The Indian tourism market is a significant contributor to the tourism industry in Turkey and Azerbaijan, and the loss of bookings from Indian travelers will have a major impact on the local economy.
Partnership with Turkish Airlines Cancellation
In a related development, Go Homestays, a homestay booking platform, has cancelled its partnership with Turkish Airlines. The company had partnered with Turkish Airlines to offer flights and accommodation packages to Indian travelers. However, after the conflict between India and Pakistan, Go Homestays decided to cancel its partnership with Turkish Airlines.
“We have cancelled our partnership with Turkish Airlines due to the current situation,” a spokesperson from Go Homestays said. “We understand the sentiments of our customers and will not partner with any airline that supports Pakistan in this conflict.”
Conclusion
The decision by travel firms to suspend bookings for Turkey and Azerbaijan is a significant development in the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan. The move is likely to have a major impact on tourism in both countries and will result in significant losses for the local economy.
While the decision is understandable, given the sentiments of Indian travelers, it is also important to remember that tourism can be a powerful tool for promoting dialogue and understanding between nations. By suspending bookings, travel firms are not only affecting the local economy but also limiting the opportunities for cultural exchange and understanding between Indian and Turkish/Azerbaijani people.
As the situation develops, it will be interesting to see how the travel industry responds to the conflict. Will other travel firms follow the lead of Pickyourtrail, EaseMyTrip, WanderOn, and Cox & Kings, or will they continue to operate as usual? Only time will tell.
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