Travel Firms Urge Indians to Not Visit Turkey and Azerbaijan Over Supporting Pakistan
The ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan has taken a new turn, with travel firms in India issuing a strong advisory to their customers not to visit Turkey and Azerbaijan. The two countries have been supporting Pakistan in the conflict, which has led to a significant backlash from India. As a result, several travel firms have suspended bookings for Turkey and Azerbaijan, urging Indians to reconsider their travel plans.
Travel firms like Pickyourtrail, EaseMyTrip, WanderOn, and Cox & Kings have all issued statements urging Indians to avoid traveling to Turkey and Azerbaijan until the situation normalizes. The firms have cited the countries’ support for Pakistan as the reason for their decision.
“We have closed the bookings for these two places, and we are not making any new bookings,” said WanderOn in a statement. “We understand that many of our customers had planned to travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan, but we have to prioritize the safety and security of our travelers.”
Meanwhile, Go Homestays has cancelled its partnership with Turkish Airlines, further emphasizing the severity of the situation.
The decision by the travel firms comes amid growing tensions between India and Pakistan. The conflict began after India revoked Article 370 of its constitution, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan responded by downgrading diplomatic ties with India and expelling the Indian ambassador.
Since then, the situation has escalated, with both countries trading accusations of human rights violations and terrorism. The United Nations has called for restraint and dialogue between the two nations, but so far, there has been little progress.
The travel firms’ decision to suspend bookings for Turkey and Azerbaijan is a significant blow to the two countries’ tourism industries. Turkey, in particular, has been a popular destination for Indian tourists, with many traveling to the country to experience its rich culture and history.
Azerbaijan, on the other hand, is a relatively new destination for Indian tourists, but its unique blend of Eastern European and Middle Eastern cultures has made it a popular choice for travel enthusiasts.
The suspension of bookings is likely to have a significant impact on the economies of both countries. Turkey, in particular, is heavily reliant on tourism, with the industry accounting for around 3% of its GDP.
Azerbaijan, too, has been investing heavily in its tourism industry, with the government aiming to attract more foreign tourists to the country. The suspension of bookings by Indian travel firms is likely to deal a significant blow to these efforts.
The decision by the travel firms is also likely to have a personal impact on many Indian tourists who had planned to travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan. Many will be forced to cancel their trips, incurring significant losses and inconvenience.
In a statement, Pickyourtrail said that it was “deeply concerned” about the situation and was “working closely with our partners to ensure the safety and security of our travelers.”
EaseMyTrip, too, issued a statement, saying that it was “monitoring the situation closely” and would “not compromise on the safety and security of our customers.”
Cox & Kings, one of India’s largest travel companies, said that it was “taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of our travelers” and was “working closely with our partners to minimize any inconvenience to our customers.”
The decision by the travel firms is likely to have a significant impact on the relationship between India and Turkey/Azerbaijan. The countries had previously enjoyed strong ties, with many cultural and economic exchanges between the nations.
However, the recent conflict has strained these ties, and the suspension of bookings by Indian travel firms is likely to further exacerbate the situation.
In conclusion, the travel firms’ decision to suspend bookings for Turkey and Azerbaijan is a significant blow to the two countries’ tourism industries. The suspension is likely to have a personal impact on many Indian tourists who had planned to travel to the countries, and it is likely to deal a significant blow to the economies of both countries.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the relationship between India and Turkey/Azerbaijan will evolve. One thing is clear, however, the travel firms’ decision is a strong indication that the situation is unlikely to improve anytime soon.
