🇹🇷🔥 Why Are Indians Flocking to Turkey—Even When It Seems Turkey Doesn’t Like Them? 🔥🇮🇳
By CA Manoj Garg
Tourism is booming. Flights are full. Instagram is flooded with Cappadocia balloons and Hagia Sophia selfies. But there’s an uncomfortable question simmering beneath all the wanderlust:
Why are so many Indians traveling to Turkey… even as anti-Indian sentiments appear to rise in Turkish media and politics?
🌍 The Great Paradox: Love for the Land, Shade from the State?
Let’s be clear: Turkey is stunning.
Bosphorus sunsets, ancient ruins, bustling bazaars—Turkey offers everything a modern traveler dreams of. It’s exotic, accessible, and thanks to a weak lira, incredibly affordable for Indian tourists.
But here’s the twist:
While Indian tourists bring cash, curiosity, and culture to Turkey, Turkey’s political rhetoric has not always returned the warmth. President Erdoğan’s repeated commentary on Kashmir, often echoing Pakistan’s stance, hasn’t gone down well with India’s political establishment—or its citizens.
The online world hasn’t helped either. From Twitter trolls to YouTube propaganda, some Turkish influencers and nationalist voices have been shockingly vocal about their disapproval of India’s internal affairs.
🛬 Yet Indians Keep Coming…
So, why the surge?
Simple: Travelers don’t care about geopolitics when a vacation promises beauty, adventure, and the perfect Reel.
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Istanbul is magnetic.
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Turkish food is halal-friendly for many.
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Visa-on-arrival with a U.S./UK visa makes entry easier.
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Turkey’s luxury hotels and wedding venues are jaw-droppingly affordable compared to Europe.
💸 The Tourism Dollar Doesn’t See Borders
Ironically, while politics play the long game, tourism runs on short-term ROI. Turkey knows this. That’s why Indian weddings are welcomed with red carpets, even as political narratives stay cold. Indian travel agents report record-breaking bookings for 2025. Turkish tour operators are learning Hindi. Money talks—louder than ministers do.
😡 But Should Indians Reconsider?
Some argue yes.
“Why give your money to a country that doesn’t respect your homeland?” ask nationalist voices online. Travel influencers are increasingly being scrutinized for promoting countries with antagonistic political stances.
Others shrug it off.
“Turkey isn’t just Erdoğan. It’s history, it’s people, it’s hospitality. The average Turkish citizen doesn’t hate Indians. They just want your business and your friendship.”