Indian travellers are making swift changes to their holiday plans, with visa applications to Turkey and Azerbaijan dropping by 42%, according to data from visa platform Atlys. The sharp decline comes in response to both countries expressing support for Pakistan, prompting a significant shift in traveller sentiment. What began as two of the most sought-after destinations for Indian tourists in early 2025 has now seen a rapid fall in favour, as holidaymakers look elsewhere for safer and more politically neutral options.
Metro Cities See Steep Declines, Turkey & Azerbaijan Cities Hold Stronger
Travellers from major metros such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru led the reversal. Visa applications to Turkey from these cities fell by 53%. In comparison, Tier 2 cities like Indore and Jaipur remained steadier, showing a smaller 20% decline.
The drop was more severe among large groups. Family and group visa requests fell by 49%, while solo and couple travellers reduced their plans by 27%. Atlys attributes this to group travellers typically planning trips further in advance and reacting more sensitively to geopolitical shifts. These travellers often make bookings months ahead and tend to be more cautious, especially when travelling with children or older family members.
Southeast Asia Emerges As The New Favourite
As Indian travellers shift focus from Turkey and Azerbaijan, alternate destinations like Vietnam, Indonesia, and Egypt have seen a 31% surge in visa applications. These countries are seen as affordable, accessible, and politically neutral, offering a sense of safety and value.
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Women were 2.3 times more likely to reapply for Southeast Asian nations than men. Additionally, travellers aged 25 to 34 were the most likely to change course, accounting for over 70% of application drop-offs.
Emotion, Speed & Access Driving Travel Behaviour
Speaking on the trend, Mohak Nahta, CEO and Founder of Atlys, said, “The shift wasn’t scattered—it was clear and instinctive. People didn’t wait for advice; they simply acted, driven by access to information and alternatives.”
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Atlys has paused all marketing efforts for Turkey and Azerbaijan in solidarity with India’s national sentiment. The platform predicts that if current trends continue, travel to Southeast Asia will rise further by June and July, especially among younger, digital-first Indian travellers.
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