Indian travellers snub Turkey and Azerbaijan: Visa demand drops 42% after pro-Pakistan stance

A sharp 42% drop in visa applications to Turkey and Azerbaijan is revealing just how swiftly Indian travellers are recalibrating their plans in response to geopolitical signals. The two countries, once climbing the charts as go-to short-haul international destinations for Indian tourists, have seen a dramatic reversal in sentiment following their public expressions of support for Pakistan.

New data from Atlys, a visa processing platform, shows just how immediate that reaction has been — within just 36 hours of the diplomatic developments, the number of users who exited the visa application process midway surged by 60%. And it’s not just a case of paused travel — most are simply shifting direction.

That’s a sharp contrast from the start of the year, when Turkey and Azerbaijan were climbing steadily in popularity. Visa applications to the two nations rose nearly 64% in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the same period last year. Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Baku had emerged as favourites for Indian travellers chasing a balance of affordability, ease of visa, and cultural experiences. Popular particularly among younger, first-time travellers and young professionals, these destinations had gained a reputation for offering aspirational experiences without long-haul fatigue or Western European costs.

But sentiment, it seems, shifted overnight.

“The reaction wasn’t scattered, it was sharp and behavioral,” said Mohak Nahta, founder and CEO of Atlys. “People didn’t need to be told to avoid certain destinations. They simply moved on, guided by instinct, information, and access to alternatives. That’s what modern travel looks like. It’s emotionally intelligent, logistically agile, and backed by platforms that let people act fast. In the same spirit, we also paused all marketing efforts for Turkey and Azerbaijan, standing by India and in solidarity with national sentiment.”

The data shows that metro cities responded most strongly. Applications to Turkey from Delhi and Mumbai dropped 53%, while Tier 2 cities like Indore and Jaipur saw a more tempered decline of around 20%. Atlys also noted that group visa applications, such as those for families or larger travel parties, dropped by 49%. In contrast, solo and couple travellers were slower to react, with declines at a more measured 27%.

The kind of traveller backing out has also shifted. Indians aged 25 to 34 accounted for over 70% of mid-process application drop-offs for Turkey. Atlys also found that women were more likely than men to pivot entirely, with a 2.3 times higher tendency to abandon Turkey and Azerbaijan in favour of countries like Thailand or Vietnam.

And those alternate destinations are already seeing the upside. In the days following the shift, visa applications to Vietnam, Indonesia, and Egypt rose by as much as 31%. For Indian tourists who prioritise cost-effective holidays and simple visa processes, these countries offer a compelling — and politically neutral — alternative.

Atlys expects this rerouting trend to intensify as the summer travel season picks up pace. With younger, digitally-savvy travellers from urban India continuing to plan quick international getaways, Southeast Asia could see a notable surge in Indian footfalls by June and July.