Travel Firms Urge Indians to Not Visit Turkey & Azerbaijan Over Supporting Pakistan
The ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan has taken a new turn, with travel firms in India advising their customers not to visit Turkey and Azerbaijan, two countries that have publicly supported Pakistan in the dispute. This sudden shift in policy has left many Indians planning to travel to these countries in a state of confusion and uncertainty.
According to reports, travel firms like Pickyourtrail, EaseMyTrip, WanderOn, and Cox & Kings have suspended bookings for Turkey and Azerbaijan, citing the countries’ support for Pakistan as the reason. This decision is seen as a significant blow to the tourism industries of both Turkey and Azerbaijan, which were previously popular destinations for Indian travelers.
“We have closed the bookings for these two places, and we are not making any new bookings,” WanderOn was quoted as saying in a statement. The company has also cancelled its partnership with Turkish Airlines, a move that is likely to have a significant impact on the airline’s operations in India.
The decision to suspend bookings is not limited to WanderOn alone. Other travel firms like Pickyourtrail and EaseMyTrip have also stopped accepting bookings for Turkey and Azerbaijan, citing the countries’ support for Pakistan as the reason. Cox & Kings, another well-known travel firm, has also suspended bookings for Turkey and Azerbaijan, although the company has not issued a formal statement on the matter.
The move to suspend bookings is seen as a significant escalation of the conflict between India and Pakistan, which has been ongoing for several years. The conflict began in 2019, when the Indian government revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, a disputed region that is claimed by both India and Pakistan.
Since then, the situation has remained tense, with both countries exchanging blows and engaging in a war of words. The situation escalated in February, when Pakistan shot down an Indian fighter jet that had crossed the border, killing the pilot. India responded by launching airstrikes on several terrorist camps in Pakistan, which resulted in the deaths of several Pakistani soldiers.
In the midst of this conflict, Turkey and Azerbaijan have publicly supported Pakistan, a move that has drawn ire from India. Turkey, in particular, has been vocal in its support for Pakistan, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan calling the Indian government’s actions in Jammu and Kashmir “a grave mistake”.
Azerbaijan, on the other hand, has also supported Pakistan, with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The country has also offered to mediate between India and Pakistan, a move that has been welcomed by Pakistan.
The decision to suspend bookings is likely to have significant implications for the tourism industries of Turkey and Azerbaijan, which were previously popular destinations for Indian travelers. Both countries have a rich cultural heritage and offer a unique travel experience, with Turkey famous for its ancient cities and beaches, and Azerbaijan known for its oil-rich capital city of Baku.
However, the suspension of bookings is likely to have a significant impact on the travel industry, with many Indian travelers having already booked their trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan. The decision is also likely to have a significant impact on the economies of both countries, which rely heavily on tourism as a source of revenue.
In conclusion, the decision by travel firms in India to suspend bookings for Turkey and Azerbaijan is a significant escalation of the conflict between India and Pakistan. The move is likely to have significant implications for the tourism industries of both countries, and may also have a significant impact on the economies of both countries.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the conflict will ultimately be resolved. One thing is certain, however – the decision to suspend bookings is a clear indication of the strong feelings of solidarity that exist between India and the travel firms that operate in the country.
