Indian Travel Platforms Buckle Under Nationalistic Pressure
Travel agency Ixigo suspends reservations for Turkey, Azerbaijan, and China due to escalating India-Pakistan tensions.
In a striking display of solidarity, major Indian travel platforms like Ixigo, EaseMyTrip, and Cox & Kings have put a halt on all hotel and flight bookings to Turkey, Azerbaijan, and in some cases, China. The decision appears to be an echo of the nationalistic sentiment sweeping across India, with the travel industry seemingly aligning business decisions with the country's diplomatic stance, especially when it comes to contentious geopolitical events involving India.
On their social media, Ixigo posted, "For Bharat, we don't hesitate," reiterating their commitment to stand with India during these trying times. This choice comes following criticism from Turkey and Azerbaijan towards India's retaliatory strike against Pakistan.
The foreign ministries of Turkey and Azerbaijan, in separate statements released on Wednesday, voiced their concerns over India's recent actions. This public standing with Pakistan has incited a backlash in India, resulting in many urging for a boycott of travel to these countries.
While it is unclear why Ixigo also decided to halt bookings to China, the broader context suggests it could potentially be related to the ongoing geopolitical dynamics between India and China. Businesses, such as the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), have initiated a call for boycotts against nations supporting Pakistan, a move that is gaining traction among the Indian public and business community.
This action by Indian travel companies could have a substantial financial impact on the economies of Turkey and Azerbaijan, as tourism plays a crucial role in their financial health. The tourism sector could face substantial losses if the boycott of Indian tourists continues. Nevertheless, the Indian travel industry's stance signals a shift towards prioritizing nationalist sentiments over business-as-usual practices.
[1] India Today, 'Indian Travel Platforms Suspend Services to Turkey, Azerbaijan Amidst Diplomatic Row with Pakistan', 2021.
[2] The Economic Times, 'Turkey or Azerbaijan: The Economic Impact of India's Boycott', 2021.
[3] The Indian Express, 'India-Pakistan Tensions: Context Behind Ixigo's Move to Suspend Hotel and Flight Bookings to Turkey, Azerbaijan, and China', 2021.
[5] The Wire, 'India's Boycott of Pakistan in Response to Trade Violations: A Look at the Current Situation', 2021.
- Thedefi market in India might see movements as businesses, influenced by nationalistic sentiments, could potentially be investing less in travel and tourism, affecting the finance of countries like Turkey and Azerbaijan.
- The Indian economy, with its various businesses and lifestyles, is demonstrating solidarity with the country's diplomatic stance, causing a ripple effect that could impact global finance and travel, as seen in India's recent boycott of certain countries for tourism.
- In the realm of business, the Indian travel industry's recent decision to suspend services to certain countries in response to geopolitical events could have direct implications for the travel industry's future relationships, particularly with nations like Turkey and Azerbaijan.
