Travel agency, Ixigo, ceases reservations for destinations including Turkey, Azerbaijan, and China due to escalating Indo-Pak tensions.
In a bold move, the major Indian travel platform, Ixigo, has called a halt on all hotel and flight bookings to Turkey, Azerbaijan, and China. This decision came after facing criticism from Turkey and Azerbaijan over India's actions, a trend mirrored by EaseMyTrip and Cox and Kings.
Ixigo posted a statement on social media, expressing their unwavering support for India during these trying times, saying, "When it comes to Bharat, we don't think twice."
This move is not a solitary response within the Indian travel industry. Similar to marching steps, EaseMyTrip and Cox and Kings have also put a stop to hotel and flight bookings to the same three countries. This synchronized reaction indicates a potential trend within the Indian travel sector to harmonize business decisions with India's national diplomatic positions, particularly during geopolitical events involving India.
The foreign ministries of Turkey and Azerbaijan, in separate statements on Wednesday, criticized India's retaliatory strike against Pakistan. The political tension is seen as one of the reasons for Ixigo's aggressive stance.
- Ixigo completely suspended all flight and hotel bookings to Turkey, China, and Azerbaijan, citing their perceived anti-India stance and support for Pakistan in the ongoing tensions.
- EaseMyTrip issued a travel advisory urging customers to avoid non-essential travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan due to the ongoing political situation.
- Cox & Kings paused new travel offerings to Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Turkey, reflecting similar actions taken by other travel agencies.
These actions are also driven by public sentiment and the perceived alignment of these countries with Pakistan during recent conflicts, such as the terror attack in Pahalgam.
[2] - Ixigo Halts Bookings to Turkey, China, and Azerbaijan Over Perceived Anti-India Stance
[3] - EaseMyTrip Advises Against Non-essential Travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan
[5] - Cox & Kings Pauses New Travel Offerings to Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan
- Ixigo reiterating its commitment to Bharat, has ceased all flight and hotel bookings to Turkey, China, and Azerbaijan, due to the perceived anti-India stance and support for Pakistan in the ongoing tensions.
- Airbases of diplomacy and travel industry seem to align as Ixigo, EaseMyTrip, and Cox & Kings all took similar steps to suspend bookings to the same three countries.
- In a bid to preserve the vitality of tourism and lifestyle, EaseMyTrip issued a travel advisory, discouraging non-essential travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan, owing to the ongoing political situation.
- Following Ixigo's lead, Cox & Kings also paused new travel offerings to Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan, representing a concerted effort by the travel industry to maintain a harmonious partnership with India during geopolitical events.
- This collective action of travel giants, such as Ixigo, EaseMyTrip, and Cox & Kings, demonstrates a responsiveness to public sentiment and the perceived alignment of these countries with Pakistan during recent conflicts, such as the Pahalgam terror attack.
