#BoycottTurkey chorus grows in India: How will it affect Turkey's tourism and what numbers say | Check list of suspensions

Joining the bandwagon ofboycotting Turkey over their support to Pakistan, several Indian institutions and tour and travel companies have announced suspension or cancellation of their tie-ups with Turkey. Moreover, India has cancelled security clearance for the Turkish firm that handles the lion's share of services at nine major airports in India.

Why did the #BoycottTurkey calls start?

After India’s Operation Sindoor, Ankara showed solidarity with Pakistan. Turkiye’s foreign affairs ministry condemned India’s “unprovoked aggression violating Pakistan’s sovereignty and killing innocent civilians”. It said Operation Sindoor raised the “risk of an all-out war.” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that his country will always side with the “brotherly people of Pakistan in good and bad times”.

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The calls for boycott grew stronger when India's Wing Commander Vyomika Singh revealed that the 300-400 drones sent by Pakistan across India’s bordering states were Turkish-made Songar drones.

List of institutions and travel companies who have announced #BoycottTurkey

1. Travel platform EaseMyTrip issued an advisory, asking travellers to visit Turkey and Azerbaijan only if absolutely necessary. Its founder and chairman, Nishant Pittie, said, “As Turkey and Azerbaijan have shown support for Pakistan, we strongly recommend visiting only if absolutely necessary.”
   
   
2. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on May 14 (Wednesday) cancelled an agreement with Turkey's Inonu University citing "national security". JNU said in a statement that it "stands with the Nation.
   
   
3. Jamia Millia Islamia suspended all Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with any institution affiliated with the Government of the Republic of Türkiye with immediate effect.
   
   
4. Indian travel brand Go Homestays announced the end of its partnership with Turkish Airlines, citing the airline’s association with Pakistan which has taken a “hostile” position towards India.
   
   
5. Cox & Kings said it will temporarily stop all new travel offerings to Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Turkey.
   
   
6. Goa Villas, a villa rentals aggregator, declared that it will not offer accommodation to Turkish citizens.
   
   
7. Ixigo, a travel and booking platform stated that it suspended all flights and hotel bookings for Turkey, Azerbaijan and China.
8. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) called upon Indian traders and citizens to completely boycott travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan.
   
   
9. The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA), which represents workers, technicians, artists, and professionals of the Indian film industry, announced a complete ban on Turkey for shooting films and cultural collaborations.
   
   
10. Himachal Apple Grovers Society wrote to PM Modi requesting a ban on importing apple from Turkey.
    
    
11. Pune fruit traders announced boycotting apples imported from Turkey. A local trader also claimed that he received a threatening voice message from Pakistan after boycott announcement.
    
    
12. Maulana Azad National Urdu University announced the cancellation of its academic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Yunus Emre Institute, Turkey with immediate effect.

Will it affect Turkey's tourism: What numbers say?

According to Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, 3,30,000 Indians travelled to the country last year, compared to 119,503 arrivals in 2014. This resulted in a massive hike in Turkey’s tourism revenue that reached an all-time high of $61.1 billion in 2024, an 8.3 per cent increase from the year before. Moreover, there are currently around 3,000 estimated Indian nationals in Turkey, including 200 students. Thus, India has reportedly emerged as the fourth-largest tourist source for Turkiye.

India's exports to Turkey stood at USD 5.2 billion during Apr-Feb 2024-25 as against USD 6.65 billion in 2023-24. It accounts for only about 1.5 per cent of India's total exports of USD 437 billion. The exports include: mineral fuels and oil (USD 960 million in 2023-24); electrical machinery and equipment; auto and its parts; organic chemicals; pharma products; tanning and dyeing items; plastic, rubber; cotton; man-made fibres and filaments, iron and steel.

India's imports from Turkey was USD 2.84 billion during Apr-Feb 2024-25 as against USD 3.78 billion in 2023-24. It accounts for only about 0.5 per cent of India's total imports of USD 720 billion. The imports include: different types of marbles (blocks and slabs); fresh apples (about USD 10 million), gold, vegetables, lime and cement; mineral oil (USD 1.81 billion in 2023-24); chemicals; natural or cultured pearls; iron and steel.

With calls for boycott, business leaders say that Turkey's tourism will be affected more than how Maldives was affected after its boycott last year over anti-India statements.