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Industrialist Harsh Goenka has called on Indians to stop travelling to Turkey and Azerbaijan, citing the two nations' support for Pakistan in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir that killed 26 people. The RPG Group chairperson took to X, stating, “Indians gave Rs 4,000+ crore to Turkey and Azerbaijan last year through tourism... Today, both stand with Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack... Please skip these 2 places. Jai Hind.”
Indians gave Rs 4,000+cr to Turkey & Azerbaijan last year through tourism. Created jobs. Boosted their economy, hotels, weddings, flights.
Today, both stand with Pakistan after Pahalgam attack.
Plenty of beautiful places in India & the world.
Please skip these 2 places.
Jai…— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) May 13, 2025
">May 13, 2025
His remarks come amid a wave of backlash across the Indian travel industry, with several agencies halting bookings for both countries. Goenka highlighted that Indian tourism had significantly contributed to their economies through weddings, flights, and hotel bookings.
Also Read: India reaffirms bilateral stance on Kashmir, denies nuclear angle in military action
Data shows that over 3.3 lakh Indian tourists visited Turkey in 2024 alone — a 20.7% rise from 2023 — while Azerbaijan saw a dramatic 108% surge in Indian visitors last year.
Travel platforms like Ixigo echoed Goenka’s sentiment, announcing a suspension of bookings for Turkey, Azerbaijan, and China “in solidarity with our nation.” Go Homestays ended its partnership with Turkish Airlines, and Goa Villas said it would no longer offer accommodations to Turkish citizens.
With bookings reportedly down by nearly 50% and many travellers now opting for destinations like Bali and Malaysia, the backlash reflects a growing sentiment to align travel decisions with national interest.
